RUSSELL, North Beds), answering in the MR. J. BURNS (Battersea): I beg to absence of Mr. H. H. FOWLER: It is ask the President of the Local Governtrue that the Excise Revenue in the ment Board whether his attention has Punjab has largely increased. The been called to the injustice arising from Government of India, by enhancing taxation and by repressing illicit distil- the working of Section 43 of the Local lation, is doing what it can to discourage Government Act, 1888; and, if so, what excessive consumption, and this policy steps are contemplated to remove it? will be pursued in the future as circumstances may permit.

INDOOR PAUPERS IN THE

METROPOLIS.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE: Under Section 43 of the Local Government Act, 1888, the amount of the grant of 4d. per day for each indoor pauper paid to each Metropolitan Union by the London MR. H. KIMBER (Wandsworth): I County Council is determined by the beg to ask the President of the Local average number of indoor paupers mainGovernment Board whether, considering tained in that Union during the five the extraordinary results to Boards of financial years ended on March 25, 1888, Guardians of certain parishes and Unions and the Section expressly declares that in the Metropolis, owing to the grant of it shall continue to be reckoned in ac4d. per day, under Section 43 of the cordance with the same average number Local Government Act, 1888, for every unless Parliament otherwise determine. indoor pauper maintained by them, If, therefore, the basis of the apportionbeing calculated on a certificate based ment of this grant is to be altered legison the average number of indoor poor so lation will be necessary, and I should maintained during the five years ended not be justified in submitting any pro25th March, 1888, which is now neces-posals to Parliament on the matter until sarily very largely varied by subsequent I have had full opportunity of asceralterations in the population, he will taining the views held with respect to it take such steps as may be necessary by the London County Council, who under Sub-Section (B) of Section 43 of the Act before mentioned to have amended certificates prepared and issued; and whether he has been made aware, in particular, of the case of the Wandsworth and Clapham Union, which only receives the grant on a daily average of 1,624 indoor paupers, while at the present time the number chargeable exceeds 2,800 ?

have to pay the grant, and the various Boards of Guardians who receive it. At present I have only received communications on the subject from two Boards of Guardians in London. I may add that the question of apportionment between the different parishes is one of considerable difficulty, as the Boards of Guardians pursue varying policies with regard to outdoor and indoor relief, and no account is taken in the Act of the number of outdoor paupers.

*MR. THORNTON asked the right hon. Gentleman if he was not aware that the anomaly in question was increasing day by day in the borough of Clapham and Battersea, owing to the sale of old properties for building purposes around Clapham Common, and whether he could not see his way to some legislative action.

*MR. P. M. THORNTON (Clapham): I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in the district governed by the Wandsworth and Clapham Union the grant of 4d. per day, under Section 43 of the Local Government Act, 1888, which was intended to be for every indoor pauper maintained by the Guardians, is, owing to the fact that the calculation is based upon a certificate some years old, paid on a daily average of 1,624 MR. SHAW LEFEVRE said, it was only, whereas the actual number of in- not an easy subject to deal with withdoor paupers chargeable on the Union out, at all events, the full sanction of exceeds 2,800; and whether, as the the London County Council and a cercontribution consequently falls so far tain general approval of the parishes short of the proper sum, he is prepared concerned in the matter. to take immediate steps to remedy the anomaly in the interests of the ratepayers of the Union ?

MR. KIMBER inquired if the right hon. Gentleman would ascertain the views of the London County Council.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE said, he the Controller has not the same power would communicate with the London of dealing with contracts which were in County Council.

THE PAMIRS.

MR. G. CURZON (Lancashire, Southport): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the long promised Agreement between the British and Russian Governments, with reference to the Pamirs, has now been concluded; and, if so, whether he will lay it upon the Table of the House?

SIR E. GREY: The Agreement has been concluded and will be laid very

soon.

WAGES AND GOVERNMENT
CONTRACTS.

existence at the time of the passing of the Resolution and have not yet expired as he has in dealing with contracts granted since that date. The contracts referred to will all expire in 1896, and the question of future arrangements as regards printing and binding will be brought before the Select Committee, which will be appointed after Easter.

MR. C. J. DARLING (Deptford) did not understand that the question was wholly confined to the Stationery Office. He desired to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Treasury had received representations from their own workmen at the Deptford yard that the Resolution of the House was not carried out.

SIR JOHN HIBBERT: I have

DISTRESS IN IRELAND.

MR. J. CALDWELL (Mid Lanark): I beg to ask the Civil Lord of the Ad- nothing to do with the yard at Deptmiralty (1) whether the Admiralty have ford; I have quite enough to do without yet completed their investigations into the that. complaint against the Clyde Bridge Steel Works and Moss End Steel Works (who supply steel plates for Government con- MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN (Mayo, S.): tracts), of not only employing non-union I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the men and paying less than trade union Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether, rate of wages, but of refusing to employ though Dr. Flynn, Local Government trades union labour, and dismissing men Board Inspector, reported to him that because they belonged to their trade acute or exceptional distress does not society; and (2) whether the complainers exist in Claremorris Union, portions of will, if need be, have an opportunity it, such as Murneen, Cultebo, Kilvine, of still further substantiating their Ballindine, Aughamore, and Ballystatements?

haunis, are very poor and distressed, THE CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMI- he is aware that a portion of AughaRALTY (Mr. EDMUND ROBERTSON, Dun- more is in Swinford Union, and is a dee): (1) The allegations contained in a most congested district; (2) whether he letter from Mr. Cronin have been referred has been informed that the priests who in the usual course to the principal con- were anxiously awaiting Dr. Flynn's tractors, who have called upon the sub- visit did not know that he had been contractors mentioned for explanations. through Murneen and Aughamore; (3) These gentlemen positively deny the whether he is aware that in Knock accuracy of the statements made. (2) South all the people have applied for The Admiralty are willing to receive any seed, that this is a congested division, further statement from the complainants. that out-door relief is always high, that CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.): the potatoes totally failed, that the people I beg to ask the Secretary to the Trea- have no stock, that roads are much sury why Government contracts still remain with firms who fail to comply with the spirit of the Resolution of the House of Commons as regards sub-letting and fair wages, passed in 1891 and renewed in 1893 ?

wanted, that the people go thence to Kiltimagh, eight miles to and from, to get employment at 7s. per week; (4) whether Dr. Flynn saw in Drum Townland a family with nire children, having a large holding without a four-footed SIR JOHN HIBBERT: I am not beast, and whose only food was Indian aware that there are any firms holding meal; and in the Townland of Coogna contracts from the Stationery Office that the inspector did not see even one beast have failed to comply with the spirit of or a pit of potatoes; (5) whether he is the Resolution of 1891; but, of course, aware that the people followed the

for this union is concerned, no doubt there are a great many divisions where out-door relief is much increased on what it was before; but taking the Union as a whole, there are 300 fewer cases than in the corresponding period of last year. I can assure my hon. Friend that I have kept as close an observation on those cases, as far as one can from London, and in any case I have perfect confidence in the officials.

inspector into Ballyhaunis asking for MR. J. MORLEY: I pay as much work at any wages to save their families attention to these matters as I think from starvation; and (6) whether, seeing they require. So far as out-door relief the general distrust of Dr. Flynn's Report, he will have an inspection made at once by some other inspector? *MR. J. MORLEY: (1) It would appear from the inspector's reports that while there are a number of poor persons in Claremorris Union at the present time, there is nothing approaching to general or widespread destitution, and the resources of the poor law are so far able to deal with any cases of distress that exist. Aughamore Electoral Divi- MR. J. TULLY (Leitrim, S.): I beg sion referred to in the question is in to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Swinford Union, and works have been Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he has opened there. (2) The inspector, Dr. received a copy of the resolution, adopted Flynn, during his inspection, which by the Bawnboy Board of Guardians at lasted fully a week, met and conferred their last meeting, and the report made with several clergymen and members of by their acting relieving officer that in the Board of Guardians. (3) The Local the divisions of Cloverhill and Garradice, Government Board are not aware whe- in South Leitrim, he found 96 families ther all the people applied for seed in deep distress, many of them without potatoes in Knock South Electoral fuel and clothing, and all of them Division, but they state that the Guar-willing to work; and whether he can dians proposed to give a supply to 104 state if relief works have been started families. (4) Individual cases of poverty in these distressed districts? such as that mentioned in the Townland MR. J. MORLEY: A copy of the of Drum will, unhappily, be found in resolution in question has been received. the west of Ireland even in years of I stated in reply to the somewhat similar comparative plenty, but such cases are question addressed to me on Thursday exceptional, and may be relieved by the last, that relief works have been opened existing law. (5) The inspector states for the people of these divisions; that that it is not a fact that any persons some 29 persons from Cloverhill have followed him into Ballyhaunis asking been placed on the list for employment for work to save their families from on the works; and that the inspector starvation. (6) The Local Government has been instructed to visit and report Board have had conferences with Dr. on the other portions of the unions in Flynn about this district, and also with which works have not been opened. the inspector who had charge of it for many years and who recently reported on the Union. The Board do not think at present any necessity for opening relief works can be shown to exist. They have, however, required the inspector to frequently visit the district, and there appear to be no sufficient grounds for directing another inspector to make a further inspection and report.

MR. JOHN REDMOND: On behalf of the hon. Member for North Galway (Colonel Nolan), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if the inspector whom he promised he would send to Tuam has yet made his report, and if any relief works have been started in the Tuam Union?

MR. J. MORLEY: The report of the MR. J. F. X. O'BRIEN asked inspector was duly received by me, but whether the right hon. Gentleman would the Local Government Board do not get the inspector to pay more careful attention to the difference between outdoor relief in different districts. In some districts out-door relief was 1s. 6d. on a high valuation, and in other districts it was 40s. on a low valuation?

consider that the condition and circumstances of the people in this union are such as to render necessary the opening of relief works.

MR. J. REDMOND: On behalf of Colonel Nolan, I beg to ask the Chief

Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ire- | to the account of the proceedings at land if he has received reports that the Board of Trade inquiry into distress exists in the Glenamaddy Union; the stranding of the steamship Waldand if he has commenced any relief works in the Barony of Ballymore? ridge, as appearing in the Shipping MR. J. MORLEY: Representations Gazette of the 8th inst., when two lives have been received alleging the existence were lost, and the vessel became a total of distress in various parts of this Union, wreck, and particularly to the evidence and these have formed the subject of of the captain that he did everything he investigation by the Local Government could to show distress signals; to the Board's Inspector. The Board inform evidence of Samuel Bradshaw, the chief me that they have been unable to find boatman at the Staithes Coastguard any evidence of the existence of abnormal distress in the Union, and no Station, that he saw the signals, and relief works have consequently been thought the Waldridge was signalling opened. for a pilot, and that his opinion was shared by other members of his crew; and the evidence of Charles Horn, boatswain of the Staithes lifeboat, that he took the lights from the steamer as being signals for a pilot; whether he has seen the account in the Kentish Express of 11th August last, and the Shipping Gazette of 7th September and 26th November last, of the useless launching of lifeboats at Littlestone, Broadstairs, Kingsdown, Dungeness, and many other places along the coast, in response to signals intended to be for a pilot, but which were mistaken on shore for signals of distress; and whether, in view of these frequent occurrences and misunderstandings, leading sometimes to loss of life, he will take steps to enable the Committee on the Rule of the Road at Sea to take evidence upon the matter, with a view to International action n; or if not, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the death from exposure and cold of Cornelius Rudden in the mountain pass between Donagh and the Illies, in Donegal, on the 28th February, and to the finding of the jury as to the necessity for a road at the place; and whether he will direct an inquiry as to the traffic and to the possibility of finding means to make or aid in making such a road?

*MR. J. MORLEY: I have received a report of the occurrence referred to. There is no distress in the locality such as to justify the construction of a road at this place as a relief work, but I shall refer the matter to the Congested Districts Board for further inquiry.

MR. J. REDMOND: On behalf of Colonel Nolan, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury if any assessment made on account of payment towards the cost of the Suck Drainage can be appealed from, particularly as to the size of the area on which the assessment is made; and if, in the case of small holders of land, the Board of Works will postpone levies during this year of distress?

SIR JOHN HIBBERT: The Acts under which the Board of Works make final awards in cases like the Suck Arterial Drainage do not provide for appeal. No undue pressure will be used in collecting instalments from small holders of land.

PILOT AND DISTRESS SIGNALS. MR. H. S. FOSTER: I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called Mr. J. Redmond.

MR. J. BRYCE: My attention has been called to the circumstances referred to in the question put on the 15th of March; but, as I have already stated to the House in reply to a question, I am advised that the Regulations provide sufficiently distinctive signals to be used respectively when a pilot is required and when a vessel is in distress. If, as in the case of the Waldridge, the wrong signals are used, mistakes naturally arise, but I do not think that it is the fault of the Regulations. The present Pilot and Distress Signals are International. They have been in force for many years and have worked well, and I see no occasion for referring them to a Select Committee. The Committee, which the House on Monday last determined to appoint, is to deal with a totally different matter.

BELLEVILLE BOILERS.

SIR EDWARD HERTSLET.

and, if so, when did he attain it; if he, whilst still retaining the post, is in receipt of a pension; and, if so, when was it granted him; if he has received the whole or any part of the salary attached to the office since he was awarded his pension; and how long the present arrangement is likely to last?

*SIR JOHN HIBBERT: Sir Edward Hertslet attained the age of 70 on 3rd February, 1894. From that date he

SIR. G. BADEN-POWELL (Liver- MR.GRÆME WHITELAW (Lanark, pool, Kirkdale): I beg to ask the Secre- N.W.): I beg to ask the Secretary to tary to the Admiralty what number of the Treasury if the Librarian at the Foreign Office has exceeded the age at Belleville boilers or installations are which retirement becomes compulsory; fitted in the Sharpshooter, and are they the same in make, design and specification as those to be placed in the Powerful and Terrible, and to be used in the new cruisers to be laid down this year; what have been the nature and extent of the sea-going trials to which the boilers of the Sharpshooter have been submitted; the period in time, and the distance of the longest continuous steaming trial she has undergone; the average speed maintained thereon; also the total number of retired from the established Civil Serhours she has steamed since she was vice, and was awarded a pension of fitted with these boilers, and what £666 13s. 4d., being two-thirds of the defects have been reported, if any, and salary of his office. In view of a reprewhat number of tubes have been removed sentation from the Secretary of State for repairs or replacement; and what is that the loss of Sir E. Hertslet's services the cause of the prolonged detention of at that date would result in very serious the steamer in harbour at Gibraltar? loss to the Foreign Office and to the MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON: Public Service, the Treasury sanctioned (1) There are eight Belleville Boilers a temporary arrangement under which in the Sharpshooter. The boilers for the officer will continue to act the Powerful and Terrible, and for librarian until 2nd February 1896. the new first and second class cruisers to During this period he will receive such be laid down this year are the same in temporary rate of remuneration as will, make and design as the Sharpshooter's. together with the pension earned by (2) The sea-going trials have numbered him, equal the amount of his former The shortest trial was the usual salary, namely, £1,000 per annum.

AUXILIARY POSTMEN.

as

13. three hours' commissioning; the longest of 30 hours. The longest in time was one of 30 hours at over 93 per cent. of MR. KILBRIDE: On behalf of the her natural draught power; during that hon. Member for South Galway (Mr. time she steamed 480 knots, at an average D. Sheehy) I beg to ask the Postmaster speed of 16 knots. The boilers of the General whether unestablished or ship have been in use since February, auxiliary postmen are entitled to any 1894, but the exact number of hours pension or compensation; whether men cannot be given at present, as the vessel of 15 years' service and over are entitled is away from England. There have been to good conduct stripes, or, in lieu, any no defects of any kind reported, and no other concession; whether such men, tubes have been removed for repairs or walking the full length of their post on replacement. (3) The only cause of any week days and also on Sundays, will be detention at Gibraltar was a defect in granted the alternate Sunday rest, the machinery, and not in the Belleville having regard to the hopes held out on Boilers. The Sharpshooter is now at sea, this question in March 1893, and still cruising with the Channel Squadron. in abeyance; and whether they will be MR. T. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis) asked, whether the Government proposed to make any trial of these boilers in vessels intermediate in size between the Sharpshooter and the Powerful and Terrible?

MR. ROBERTSON: In time, no doubt, it will be done.

granted a fortnight's vacation annually, also sick leave on medical certificate, and boot allowance?

MR. ARNOLD MORLEY: An unestablished postman, in the technical sense, is, as a rule, a postman ineligible on grounds of age or otherwise for an established appointment, but doing a