Paper?

CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES. he will consent to the Return relating MR. J. M. WHITE: On behalf of to Land Tax which stands on this day's the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs (Mr. J. H. DALZIEL), I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a new Chief Inspector of Factories has been appointed; whether, before any appointment was made, the claims of the Superintending Inspectors were considered; and, whether it is not usual to promote officers in the Department to the higher posts?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY, Lancashire, Blackpool): I have appointed a new Chief Inspector of Factories. I should have preferred to find him among the officers already in the Department, but after the most careful consideration I was able to give to the claims of all the existing inspectors I felt obliged to come to the conclusion that the appointment which I have made was the best in the interests of the public service. The three officials who have previously filled the post were appointed from inside the Department, but the conditions attaching to the office were designedly framed to admit of outside appointments being made.

LAND TAX.

MR. WHITE: On behalf of Mr. DALZIEL, I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he can state the amount received from the unredeemed portion of the Land Tax at 4s. in the pound, and the amount estimated to be produced by the proposed tax of 1s., as per Schedule (A) of the Income Tax?

*THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: The total amount of Land Tax extinguished under the Land Tax Redemption Acts was, at the end of the financial year 1894-95, £882,138. On pages 241 of the 28th Report, 26 of the 36th Report, and 36 of the 38th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, will be found tables showing the amount of Land Tax redeemed every year from 1864 to 1882-3, and from 1882-83 to 1894-95 inclusive, and the total amount redeemed from 1798 to 1894-5. I do not, therefore, see the object of the Return now asked for.

QUEEN'S COLLEGE (GALWAY). MR. D. KILBRIDE (Galway, N.): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the letter of the Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh which appeared in the Freeman's Journal of 9th March last, whether he can now say if he will consider the desirability of reconstituting the Queen's College at Galway on lines that will allow Roman Catholics to enter without strain of conscience; and whether, considering that the counties of Galway and Mayo, apart from the other western counties, have a population of considerably upwards of 400,000, he will so reconstitute the college as to enable the Catholics of Connaught to take advantage of the educational facilities which the late Sir Robert Peel intended for them?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR: The Question of the hon. Member raises a large issue of policy which I cannot undertake to deal with in reply to a Question.

In answer to Mr. DILLON,

MR. GERALD BALFOUR said:

*THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH, Bristol, W.): The amount received in 1894-95 for the Land Tax was £1,021,705. I have not yet received the corrected Return for 1895-96. If the limit of 4s. be altered as I propose, the amount to be received this year would be I do not think that we shall be able, in rather more than £900,000. The reduc- the course of the present Session, to give tion would only operate in a comparatively any information with respect to the small number of parishes, and would subject-matter of the Question down cease if in any subsequent year the upon the Paper. annual value of the parish increased MR. KILBRIDE: Did not the right above the point which would now entitle hon. Gentleman say in March that he it to a reduction. would answer the Question on a future day?

MR. DALZIEL: I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether

[No answer was given.]

TRESPASS CASE (IRELAND). MR. MACALEESE: I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, (1) if he will consent to release on parole Patrick M'Quaide, a prisoner detained in Dundalk Gaol since the 30th of January last, that the man may have the opportunity to get a memorial prepared to place before the Judge at whose instance he was arrested and imprisoned, seeing that M'Quaide's offence of trespass, out of which his arrest arose, was not a taking of forcible possession, as has been alleged, but the cutting of a small bundle of rushes to replenish the bed of one of his little children; and, (2) whether he is aware that there are precedents for such a course to be found in the administration of the late Chief Secretary for the Forest of Dean. Forster, who paroled suspect prisoners on several occasions without having any reason to regret the step?

Report of the Acting Governor that the quantity of gin imported into the Crown Colony of Sierra Leone is largely increasing, and that the quality is so bad that it is frequently used by painters as a drier in place of turpentine, he will take such means as lies in his power to limit the quantity and to improve the quality of the spirits imported for the use of the inhabitants of that Colony?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN: The duty on spirits has been raised since the date of the Report referred to by the hon. Member, a step which should result in improving the quality of the liquor imported; and I may refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me on the 27th February to the right hon. Member

COMMITTALS FOR CONTEMPT OF
COURT.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.): I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General, whether his attention has been directed to the remarks of the Lord Chief Justice of England, in which Mr. Justice Wright

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. JOHN ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.): I am informed that M'Quaide has forwarded to his solicitor a written statement to be laid before the Receiver Judge, containing an apology for the misconduct complained of, and a promise not to repeat it. I should concurred in his judgment in the Queen's assume that this letter will be favourably considered. There is no analogy between this case and those referred to in the last paragraph of the Question.

NATIONAL COLLECTIONS (ESTATE
DUTY).

MR. PERCY M. THORNTON (Clapham): I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the proposed exemption of works of art or other objects or collections of national or historical interest not yielding income from the estate duty charges includes also manuscripts ancient and modern?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: My proposal is not properly described as exemption; but it includes manuscripts, provided that they appear to the Treasury to be of national, scientific, or historic interest.

Bench Division in the case of Payne v. Cooper, to the effect that applications for committal for contempt of court had of late been much too numerous, and that in some instances the decisions had gone too far; and, whether, having regard to the fact that the power of committal for contempt of court is not subject to appeal or supervision, and uncontrolled by the prerogative of pardon, the

Government will take into consideration

the propriety, at an early day, of proposing legislation with a view to the definition and limitation of this power?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER, Isle of Wight): I noticed the remarks of the Lord Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Wright in the case referred to in the hon. Member's question. There is not, in my opinion, sufficient necessity for any legislation upon the subject of contempt of court.

MR. MACNEILL: Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that some GIN IMPORTATION (SIERRA LEONE). legislation on the subject was promised? MR. JOHN BRIGG (York, W.R., THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: I Keighley) I beg to ask the Secretary of do not think there was any unqualified State for the Colonies, if, in view of the promise.

*MR. BRODRICK: The delay in con- will be taken on Thursday, and, subject nection with the Provisional Order for to any alterations which convenience the ranges for the Manchester Volun- may suggest, we propose to take the teers is due to the fact that the expenditure Scotch Estimates on Friday. ["Hear, proposed, includes the erection of butts hear!"] With regard to the business and equipping of the range, which can for to-morrow, it must, of course, partly only be authorised by the Military Lands depend upon the progress made to-night, Bill now before Parliament. As this but we hope to make progress to-morrow Bill is not opposed, and as the shooting with several important but uncontroof these corps and others is seriously im- versial Measures which the Government peded pending the passage of the Bill, I are anxious to advance a stage, such as trust I shall be allowed to take the the Naval Reserve Bill, Military Lands Second Reading after Twelve o'clock Act (1892) Bill, and the Berriew School To-night. Bill. The Conciliation of Trades Disputes Bill is also a Measure which the Government are anxious to see progress made with. ["Hear, hear!"]

DECLARATION OF PARIS.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES asked the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury a Question of which he had given him private notice—namely,

whether, as the Government had taken COAL MINES REGULATION ACT (1887)

AMENDMENT.

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Coal Mines Regulation Act (1887), said that he might fairly describe

all the time of private Members on Tues-
days, with the exception of three hours.
after the dinner hour, they would afford
facilities for the discussion of the Motion
relating to the important subject of the
Declaration of Paris at present standing Hear, hear!"]
in his name on the Paper for to-morrow
night?

this Bill as a non-contentious Measure.

["Hear, hear!"] It was based upon the provisions of the Bill of last year, THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREA- and the Government had had the advan SURY: I quite recognise the importance tage of hearing the criticisms of both of the subject of the hon. Gentleman's employers and workmen upon that MeaMotion, in which I know he has taken sure. The Bill only contained eight great interest, but at the same time I clauses. Its main object was to provide must demur to his statement that the Government have prevented private Members from discussing matters in which they are interested on Tuesdays. But, quite apart from that, I hope the hon. Gentleman will have an opportunity for bringing on his Motion to-morrow night. ["Hear, hear!"] If that is impossible, however, I can hardly hold out much hope that, in the present state of public business, we can offer him exceptional facilities for bringing on his Motion. [Hear, hear!"]

MR. GIBSON BOWLES said that, in consequence of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, he begged to give notice

that he should withdraw his Motion for to-morrow night.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE.

In reply to Sir ALBERT ROLLIT (Islington, S.) and Sir C. DILKE,

for increased safety in fiery and dusty mines, and it gave power to the Secretary of State to impose special regulations with regard to various points which he need not then enumerate to the House. It also made various provisions with reference to complaints of masters and workmen in regard to the check-weighing clause of the principal Act. He could only say that it was most desirable, in the interests of both employers and workmen, that the law upon this subject should be made clear. ["Hear, hear!"]

MR. C. FENWICK desired to ask

whether the Bill departed in any material particular from the provisions of the

was

Measure which introduced last Session by the right hon. Gentleman the late Home Secretary in regard to checkweighing.

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

said, that the Bill was based on the provisions of the Measure introduced by THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREA- the right hon. Gentleman his predecessor SURY said: The Budget Resolutions in office, but advantage had been taken VOL. XXXIX. [FOURTH SERIES.]

3 L

of the criticisms of employers and employed on the Bill of last year in drawing up the present Measure. ["Hear, hear!"]

Bill ordered to be brought in by Secretary Sir Matthew White Ridley and Mr. Jesse Collings; presented, and read 1o; to be read 2o upon Monday 4th May, and to be printed.--[Bill 183.]

Bill ordered to be brought in by Secretary Sir Matthew White Ridley and Mr. Jesse Collings; presented and read 1o, to be read 2o upon Monday, 4th May, and to be printed.-[Bill 184.]

ORDERS OF THE DAY.

TRUCK BILL.

AGRICULTURAL LAND RATING BILL.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. HENRY moved for leave to introduce a Bill to CHAPLIN, Lincolnshire, Sleaford), who amend the Truck Acts. He said the on rising was received with cheers, said,— Measure was introduced in fulfilment of In asking for leave to introduce a Bill to a promise which had been made early in amend the law with respect to the rating the Session by the right hon. Gentleman of occupiers of agricultural land in Engthe Leader of the House. It was not an land, and for other purposes connected attempt to consolidate the whole of the therewith, it becomes my duty to state to Truck Acts, but only proposed to deal the House the objects of the Bill which with that particular branch of their I hope I shall be allowed to bring in toadministration which had been the sub- night. In making this Motion I may ject of a Motion which had been made remind the House that this Measure is by the right hon. Baronet opposite early one of those which was referred to in in the Session upon a point which was the gracious Speech from the Throne as in urgent need of clear definition. intended It to mitigate the severity of was evident that the extreme uncer- agricultural depression. I do not know tainty of the present law was a serious whether many hon. Gentlemen in this embarrassment alike to employers and House have given their attention to the employed. In the Bill an attempt was voluminous evidence already published made to define the conditions under by the Royal Commission now sitting which deductions from the gross sums upon agricultural depression, but to paid by the employers to the workmen those who have done so it must be manishould be permitted-namely, in the fest that the only true cause of that three cases of fines, damages to materials depression is the abnormal, and for the the property of the employers, and as most part progressive, decline in prices of regarded materials and other things agricultural produce which has occurred supplied by employers in relation to the in recent years. I do not pretend for a work to be carried out by the workmen. moment that the Measure I am going to The proposals of the Bill are embodied propose can be regarded as anything in three operative clauses, which were more than an attempt to diminish the separate, clear, and distinct, and there depression under which [agriculture is were three other clauses dealing with now struggling. At present we know penalties and deductions, which consti- nothing whatever of the views of the to the cause of this tuted the whole of the Bill. The Bill Commission as was not controversial, and he hoped that it might be the means of improving and clearing the law.

abnormal fall in prices, because it has been impossible for them to complete their Report, but we are in possession of the opinions of the Commission with MR. HALDANE asked whether the regard to the excessive burdens of taxaBill applied to shop assistants.

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY said that it did not apply to those persons, because he was afraid that the subject would overlay the Bill. [" Hear, hear!"]

Sir Matthew White Ridley.

tion which at present fall upon the land. The Commission have, however, agreed to an interim report upon that point, in which proposals are made for lessening these burdens, and they urge it as a matter of first importance that, with the