HOUSE OF COMMONS,

Tuesday, 29th March, 1892.

OF

Ten of the clock.

MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.

That they have agreed to,-Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill; Army Annual Bill; Millbank Prison Bill, without Amendment. any

ROYAL ASSENT.

missioners:

warm

Mr. SPEAKER reported the Royal Assent to, Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Act, 1892; Army (Annual) Act, 1892; Betting and Loans (Infants) Act, 1892; Millbank Prison Act, 1892.

QUESTIONS.

RUSSIAN JEWISH EMIGRANTS. COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any information has been received to the effect that an extraordinary exodus of Jews is likely to take place from Russia in the course of the spring; and in such case, if Her Majesty's Consuls will be instructed to warn the emigrants by public advertisement in the Russian and Polish Press, and all possible means, that as there are large numbers of our own countrymen unable to find full industrial employment, there is no room for more foreign workers in the United Kingdom? In asking this question of my hon. Friend, I beg also to inquire if he is aware that the latest Return of Alien Immigration shows an increase of 1,074 or 25 per cent. in the number of European Aliens arriving in England during January and February, 1892, over the same period last year, bringing the number not en route to America up to nearly 5,000 in the two months?

MR. OCTAVIUS V. MORGAN (Battersea): Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the stringent measures adopted by the German Government to prevent any of these 300,000 pauper emigrants going to Germany?

MR. J. W. LOWTHER: I have only seen the telegrams which have appeared in the Press in the last day or two with regard to the action of the German Government, but I do not think any official information has been received.

MR. J. LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet): Arising out of this question, I beg to give notice that on Friday I will ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether

under the circumstances and the extent of the evil represented, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to ask for any legislative powers to deal. with the matter?

MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.): In reference to his answer, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the Consuls have any power in these matters, and is the giving warning likely to be of any use?

MR. J. W. LOWTHER: No; I do

not think they have any power, but we thought it well-and at least it can do no harm to have it publicly announcedto take steps to have the information brought to the notice of those who intend to come to this country.

HEBRIDES.

MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSH (Inverness-shire): I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the Secretary for Scotland has received repeated complaints from crofters in the Islands of Boreray, Benbecula, and other places in the Outer Hebrides, to the effect that extension of holdings, granted them under the Crofters' Act, has been suspended for two years by appeals on the part of the landlords; and whether he will be so good as to use his influence to insure an immediate sitting of a full Court of the Commissioners to dispose of the appeals, and prevent the crofters losing for another season the full benefits of the extension granted?

*THE LORD ADVOCATE (Sir C. J. PEARSON, Edinburgh and St. Andrews Universities) I am informed that the Secretary for Scotland has received an application from some crofters in Benbecula desiring him to make arrangements for an early hearing of certain appeals, which have only recently been lodged, against orders made at the end of last December, and I have to inform the hon. Member that these appeals will be heard as soon as the Commis

sioners have disposed of other more urgent business. No applications have been received from the other districts mentioned in the question.

"THE SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

ELECTION-REIGATE DIVISION.

a

SIR W. FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston): I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that at the recent election for member of the Surrey County Council, Reigate, Western Division, the Returning Officer refused to give a casting vote, and sent the writ back, "No Election;""F. E. Barnes, 500; J. Seex, 500;" and whether he will order a fresh election, or state what steps will be taken to remove the deadlock? *THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE, Tower Hamlets, St. George's) I find that the Returning Officer for the Borough of Reigate certified that no person had been elected as a County Councillor for the Western Division of

number and the Returning Officer had declined to give a casting vote. It appears to be a matter of regret that the Returning Officer did not exercise the power conferred upon him by the Statute of giving a casting vote in a case of equality of votes; but under the circumstances I apprehend that, if it is desired that a further election should be held, the only course is to apply to the High Court for the issue of a mandamus for the purpose. SALE OF ENCLOSED LANDS-1 AND 2

WILLIAM IV.

SIR W. FOSTER: I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is acquainted with any instances in which land enclosed for cultivation as allotments under 1 and 2 William IV., Clause 42, has been sold; whether the proceeds of such sales, if any, are devoted to Poor Law purposes, and whether all such sales are reported to the Local Government Board?

*MR. RITCHIE: I am only aware of two instances in which portions of land which has been enclosed for allotments under 1 and 2 William IV., Clause 42. have been sold. In one case the land was acquired under compulsory powers for School Board purposes, and in the other case the portion of the land sold was purchased by the Guardians of the Union as a site for a relief station. The dividends on the proceeds of these sales are applied in aid of the Poor Rate of the parish, with the exception that a portion of the sale produce was applied to the repayment of a debt in respect of a public Free Library. Lands enclosed under the Act referred to, unless they are purchased under powers of compulsory purchase conferred by Parliament, can only be sold with the consent of the Local Government Board.

SIR W. FOSTER: Does the Local Government Board receive notices of all such sales?

*MR. RITCHIE: Unless acquired under powers of compulsory purchase they cannot be sold without the sanction of the Board. If they were acquired compulsorily under a Provisional Order of the Board, the Board would, of course, be aware of all the circumstances of the case.

IMPORTATION OF LIVE CATTLE.

MR. CAVENDISH BENTINCK (Penryn and Falmouth): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can state the reasons which have led to the issue of the recent Order prohibiting the importation of live animals from Spain and Portugal; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to importers and others at Penryn and Falmouth, in Cornwall, and other ports in England, he can hold out any hope of the Order being repealed at an early date?

MR. H. T. KNATCHBULLHUGESSEN (Kent, Faversham) Before my right hon. Friend answers that question may I be allowed to sup: plement it with another question, of which I have given my right hon. Friend private notice; whether in view of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease owing to the importation of live animals from abroad, and seeing that such importation of live animals amounts to one per cent. of our entire consumption, he will take steps to stop the importation altogether?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. CHAPLIN, Lincolnshire, Sleaford): I think I can answer my hon. Friend behind me at the same time I answer the question on the Paper. I have been induced to issue the recent Order because of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease on the Continent. The last intelligence which we have received mentions the appearance of the disease in Holland in spite of the rigid precautions against it which are taken by the Dutch Government. The importation of animals from Holland was fortunately prohibited by the Board some weeks ago, and I have now thought it right, as a measure of precaution, to prohibit the landing of animals from the remaining countries of Europe from which the importation. is comparatively trifling. I cannot hold out any hope of the Order being withdrawn so long as foot-and-mouth disease prevails on the Continent.

INSANITY OF CONVICT CLARKE.

MR. P. O'BRIEN (Monaghan, N.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give the date upon which a prisoner

named Clarke showed signs of insanity, the date upon which the medical officer of Portland Prison first reported him insane, and the date of Clarke's removal to Broadmoor Convict Asylum?

THE SECRETARY OF STATĚ FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS, Birmingham, E.): This prisoner was first visited by the medical officer in December last, was certified insane on 17th February, and removed to Broadmoor on 26th February.

THE CASE OF DR. GALLAGHER. MR. P. O'BRIEN: I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will allow an independent medical expert to examine Dr. Gallagher, a prisoner in Portland Prison, as to his sanity, if the expense of such examination is borne by Dr. Gallagher's friends?

MR. MATTHEWS: I can only repeat the answer I gave yesterday. There are no reasons why I should allow an independent medical examination.

MR. P. O'BRIEN: The right hon. Gentleman does not propose to have any additional examination to that of the prison doctor?

MR. MATTHEWS: Not at pre

sent.

IRISH DRAINAGE BILL.

MR. COX (Clare, E.): I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether he can now state when he intends introducing his Irish Drainage Bill?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN, Dublin University): My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary hopes to be able, in a few days, to introduce a Bill dealing with the subject.

TRUANT SCHOOLS FOR SCOTLAND.

MR. LENG (Dundee): I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware of the views entertained by School Boards in several large cities and burghs in Scotland relative to the expediency of extending to Scotland the powers of English School Boards to establish truant schools; and whether he will introduce a short Bill to confer on School Boards in Scotland these powers during the present Session?

*SIR C. J. PEARSON: I am aware of the feeling which exists in several of the larger burghs in favour of extending to Scottish School Boards the power of establishing truant schools. I think myself that the extension would be beneficial, but I cannot hold out much hope of legislation on the subject this Session.

POSTAL AND MONEY ORDERS.
MR. HENNIKER HEATON

(Canterbury): I beg to ask the Postmaster General will he explain why postal orders may be purchased at any time during business hours at a post office, whereas money orders can only be obtained between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and whether he will give

MUTINY VETERANS.

MR. LENG: I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the Chelsea Hospital Commissioners are issuing to Crimean and Indian Mutiny soldiers who are applicants for special pensions a schedule containing 22 elaborate questions requiring much time to answer, while the signature must be attested by a Magistrate, and that again certified as being known to a clergyman or military or naval officer, who must urther declare his belief that the oldier's statement is true and complete; and that appended to all these formalities is a certificate, to be signed by a clergyman, inspector or superintendent of police, that the applicant is "without means of support and in destitute circumstances; and whether it has been foreseen that the effect of such a condition will be to relieve the poor rates by securing pensions for men now depending on parish support, and to exclude applicants who have endeavoured to maintain their independence and self-respect and are not wholly without means of support or absolutely destitute?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WAR DEPARTMENT (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford): The paper paper of questions issued to applicants for these special pensions contains only such inquiries as are necessary to preclude imposture and to enable the Commissioners to select the cases in which pensions are most required. These pensions are compassionate, and men in necessitous circumstances must necessarily be preferred; but of the 100 cases dealt with this year very few were in receipt of parish relief.

issued at any time during business hours; or, at least, that the hours of issue shall be greatly extended?

*THE POSTMASTER GENERAL

(Sir J. FERGUSSON, Manchester, N.E.): The issue of money orders is a business requiring care, and it can be entrusted only to an officer experienced in this particular branch of duty. To during the whole time in which post require the attendance of such officers offices are open would involve considerable additional cost, which would seem to be unnecessary, as there is little demand from the public for money orders after the usual hours. The sale of postal orders on the other hand requires no special skill or knowledge, but is like the sale of stamps, and can nor the keeping of any special account, be undertaken by any officer and at any

hour.

RESTRICTIONS ON IRISH CATTLE
TRADE.

MR. PINKERTON (Galway): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware of any cattle disease within the cordon drawn by the Londonderry Board of Guardians,

which district includes the Counties of Derry, Donegal, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, the Poor Law Union of Cavan, and the Union of Longford; whether his attention has been directed to a resolution passed by the Derry Board, protesting against the stoppage of cattle drawn from that district at English and Scotch ports, and thereby prevented reaching the markets in the interior; and if he finds, on inquiry, there is no disease of any kind within this district, he will take steps to remove all restrictions upon the exportation of cattle drawn from that protected area?