An Asterisk (*) at the commencement of a Speech indicates revision by the Member. DIVORCE BILLS. Ordered, That the Select Committee on QUESTIONS. INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS. The Committee was accordingly nominated of, Mr. Attorney-General, Mr. MR. HAROLD RECKITT (LincolnAtkinson, Mr. J. B. Balfour, Sir Robert shire, Brigg): I beg to ask the Secretary Finlay, Mr. Hemphill, Sir Frank Lock- of State for the Home Department whewood, The Lord Advocate, Sir John ther his attention has been called to a Mowbray, Sir Robert Reid, and Mr. series of articles on the subject of EmWodehouse-(Sir John Mowbray.) ployers' Liability which have recently appeared in the Sun newspaper, and just issued in pamphlet form, wherein statements are made on the authority of the Board of Trade statistics, that the number of persons killed and injured in industrial accidents during the year 1895, were 4,533 and 27,197 respectively; and whether he will take steps at once to introduce the promised Employers' Liability Bill in order diminish the risks? LOCAL GOVERNMENT (IRELAND) LOCAL GOVERNMENT (IRELAND) EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION. Copy ordered, "Of Statistical Tables relating to Emigration Copy presented accordingly; to lie VOL. XXXIX. [FOURTH SERIES.] to *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY, Lancashire, Blackpool): I have seen the pamphlet referred to in the Question, and the numbers given are, unhappily, substantially correct. I am unable at present to indicate the precise date when I can introduce the Employers' Liability Bill. I may, perhaps, add, so far as the important question of saving life is concerned, that I shall very shortly introduced a Coal Mines Regulation Bill, which is directly intended for this object. S ARTILLERY AMMUNITION. VACCINATION COMMISSION. COLONEL LONG (Worcestershire, MR. F. A. CHANNING (NorthampEvesham): I beg to ask the Under ton, E.): I beg to ask the President of Secretary of State for War, whether it the Local Government Board (1) whether is true that the batteries of artillery Inquiries have been made by the Royal armed with the new 12-pounder and Commission on Vaccination into out15-pounder guns are to be supplied for breaks of small-pox at Warrington, the annual practice this year with old- Leicester, and other places; (2) when the pattern 12-pounder ammunition instead results of those Inquiries will be made of their proper ammunition? public; and (3) what opportunity will be given to those who have taken local interest in the matter to represent any observations thereon to the Royal Commission before it presents its final Report ? *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Guildford, Surrey): Yes, Sir; the batteries will this year be supplied with old-pattern ammunition. There is a large store of old-pattern ammunition, and as the instruction gained with it at gun practice is for general purposes the same as from the use of new-pattern ammunition, it has been considered desirable not to waste entirely the existing store. The new ammunition cannot, moreover, be properly issued for practice until a reserve sufficient for all purposes has been accumulated. MILITIA OFFICERS. COLONEL SANDYS (Lancashire, Bootle): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the want of officers in the Militia, amounting to some 600 in the force at the present time; whether he is aware that, under a royal warrant, Line officers who elect to serve with Militia are allowed to do so for ten years on pay and are then retired compulsorily; and whether, in view of the want of such officers in the Militia at the present time, he will consider the advisability of allowing them to continue serving in the Militia regiments so long as they are favourably reported upon by their commanding officers? THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. HENRY CHAPLIN, Lincolnshire, Sleaford): I have made inquiry, and am informed that it is the fact that Inquiries have been made by the Commission into outbreaks of other places. The Commission, however, small-pox at Warrington, Leicester, and cannot undertake to delay their final Report until after the publication of the results of these Inquiries. MR. CHANNING: Will the right hon. Gentleman give me a reply to the third paragraph of the Question? MR. CHAPLIN: In reply to that, I think it is a question which ought to be addressed to the Commission itself. I have no authority to interfere. CAMPAIGN PENSIONS. MR. CHANNING: I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, what is the present number of Crimean veterans in receipt of a pension; and, whether he can state what number of such veterans, who are not in receipt of a pension, are supposed to be living at present? THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY J. There ro THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL-WILLIAMS, Birmingham, S.): I *MR. BRODRICK: The number of assume that the Question is intended to Militia officers is nearly 600 below the apply to the Indian Mutiny campaigns establishment. The compulsory retire- as well as to the Russian wars. ment referred to in the Question is from are 2,020 such pensions now payable. the Army, not the Militia. The officer's We do not know accurately the total half-pay stops at the end of ten years number of the men referred to; but, after leaving the Regular forces, but judging from the fact that more than there is nothing to prevent his continu- 2,000 pensions have been claimed under ance in the Militia. In any case, very the present restricted conditions, and few officers are affected, as only seven that a very large number of soldiers left took advantage last year of this system the Army after those campaigns with of retirement from the Army. comparatively short service, it may be regarded as certain that the number | financial year) with the new 6-inch quickmust be far in excess of the number of firing guns? campaign pensions already granted, and it has been estimated to be 14,000 or 15,000. RAILWAY TELEGRAPH MESSENGER KILLED. MR. W. HAZELL (Leicester): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been called to an inquest held at Leicester on the 16th inst. upon the body of G. W. Lewin, at which it transpired that the deceased, though aged only 13 years, was regularly employed on 10 hours' night duty as goods telegraph messenger at the Midland Station, Leicester, and in the course of carrying messages amongst the goods trains was killed by the shunting of some trucks, and also to the opinion expressed by the coroner and the jury, that boys ought not to be engaged on such dangerous duty, either by night or by day; whether he can state how many boys are so employed upon the railways of the United Kingdom; whether he is aware that the Post Office has for some years discontinued employing boys on delivering telegrams after 8 p.m., and employs men instead; and, whether he will issue a circular to the Railway Companies advising them to follow the example of the Post Office? THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE, Croydon): I had ordered an inquiry into the case referred to before the hon. Member's Question appeared on the Paper. When the Report is received the Board of Trade will consider what course should be adopted. I have no information as to the number of boys employed on railways. The Midland inform me, however, that in future night duty shall not be performed by a youth less than 16 years of age. MEDITERRANEAN FLEET. MR. J. A. GRETTON (Derbyshire, S.): I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, if all the five battleships of the Admiral class, now forming part of the Mediterranean Fleet, are still armed with the old 6-inch breach-loading guns; and, if he will consider the advisability of re-arming those so fitted (which may come under repair during the coming THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square): One of these ships, the Collingwood, is now being rearmed with the new 6-inch quick-firing guns, and the others will be taken in hand as they come in for repair. LABOURERS' COTTAGES (IRELAND). MR. L. P. HAYDEN: On behalf of the hon. Member for Dublin Co. N. (Mr. J. J. CLANCY), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether it is a fact that it is more than two years since the usual initial steps were taken to have a number of labourers' cottages built in the Kells Union, and more than a year since the usual Local Government Board Inquiry was held into the scheme as formulated by the Board of Guardians; and (2) whether any of the cottages referred to have yet been built; and, if not, could he explain what is the cause of the delay? FOR THE CHIEF SECRETARY IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central): The facts are as stated in the first paragraph. The Guardians are not yet in a position to proceed with the erection of the cottages, as in some eight cases petitions have been lodged against the Local Government Board's Provisional Order of October last, and these objections must be adjudicated on by the Privy Council before the Order can be acted upon. The scheme is a large one, proposing the erection of 81 cottages at an estimated cost of a good many thousand pounds. SUNDAY GATHERINGS IN HYDE MR. J. F. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will consider the propriety of framing a fresh regulation with respect to Sunday gatherings in Hyde Park, which, while not interfering with legitimate and bond fide public meetings for the discussion of public questions, will put a stop to the blasphemous utterances and the performances for personal profit that have been permitted in the park on Sunday afternoons for some time past? *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY: SCHOOLMASTER DISMISSED. Yes, Sir; I am considering with my MR. HENRY LABOUCHERE right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works and with the Law Officers of the Crown the possibility of framing such a rule, but it is a matter which presents considerable difficulties. MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.): Can the right hon. Gentleman say when this decision may be arrived at? *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY: I cannot say that. It will take some time, as the difficulties are very considerable. (Northampton): I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether his attention has been called to the dismissal of Mr. Wilson from the post of schoolmaster of the Board School of Hemingford Green, on the ground, as stated by the Chairman of the Board, that the boys were very rude out of school; that when the clergyman entered the children did not show their discipline by standing up; and that, had it not been for the question of the religious instruction, he (the Chairman) would not have become a Member of the MR. HOGAN: I beg to ask the Sec- of Her Majesty's Inspector, Mr. Wilson Board; although, according to the report retary of State for the Colonies, whether is a gentleman who has largely increased he will favourably consider the suggestion the efficiency of the, school by careful, that a loan should be raised on an Im DOMINICA. perial guarantee for the development of the resources of Dominica, and as the best available method of promptly relieving the Colony of its present embarrassments and removing the obstacles to its progress? THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.): I am considering in what way any Imperial assistance can best be given towards the development of the resources of Dominica while duly safeguarding the interests of the British taxpayer, but I am not as yet in a position to make any statement on the subject. CLERKS' LABOUR. CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that last year an Inquiry was promised as to the conditions under which clerks labour in entering rooms and similar places in the City, with a view to the necessity for further legislation; and, whether he can state what has been the result of that Inquiry? *SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY: My predecessor, in the course of a reply to a deputation from the National Union of Clerks which he received in March of last year, promised to make certain inquiries, and the result of those inquiries was, I believe, that he satisfied himself that he could not deal with the subject in the Factories and Workshops Bill then before Parliament. intelligent, and efficient teaching, and has maintained discipline at a point whether he intends to take any action which is highly creditable to him; and, in regard to this dismissal? THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir JOHN GORST, Cambridge University): No communications have been addressed to the Committee of Council on this subject. Even if the facts are as stated in the Question, it is not a matter in which the Committee of Council have any power to intervene. LIGHT RAILWAYS (IRELAND). MR. W. REDMOND: I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if his attention has been called to the Resolutions passed by the Galway Grand Jury in favour of a line of railway between Ballyvaghan and Oranmore; and whether, in view of the widespread feeling in Galway and Clare in favour of this project, the Government will take an early opportunity of making an announcement on the subject? MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I have received copies of the Resolutions referred to. The case of the suggested line of railway will be considered in connection with other similar proposals. I can make no statement beyond this. MR. W. REDMOND: Might I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that there is a very strong feeling amongst all classes in favour of this Scheme; and also whether he is prepared to receive a deputation on the subject? MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I do not think I could consent to receive a deputation on this subject, at all events before the Light Railways Bill is introduced. MR. W. REDMOND: Will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation after the Light Railways Bill is introduced? MR. GERALD BALFOUR: I will consider that. *THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY, Preston): It is the fact that a number of telegraph messengers at Bristol who have attained the age of 16 are under notice to leave; but the number-excluding four who are being discharged for unsatisfactory conduct-is 25, and not 40, as stated by the hon. Member. The Regulation on the point has been laid down mainly in the interests of the lads themselves. If they remained on as telegraph messengers until the age of 18, the Department would be no more able to give them appointments then MR. E. B. BAILLIE (Inverness) than it is now, and it will be obvious I beg to ask the President of the Board that, at the age of 16, lads are better of Trade, whether the Departmental able to learn a trade or prepare themCommittee which is inquiring into the selves for other employment than they condition of English lighthouse-keepers are at the age of 18. LIGHTHOUSE-KEEPERS. embraces also the condition of lighthouse keepers in Scotland; and, if not, whether he will see his way to include them COCKLING INDUSTRY (LANCASHIRE). within the scope of these investigations ? MR. RICHARD CAVENDISH MR. RITCHIE: I think that the hon. Member must have misunderstood (Lancashire, N., Lonsdale): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, answers which I have given to previous if he has received a Petition from the Questions on this subject. There is no fishermen of Flookburgh and district in Committee inquiring into the condition Lancashire asking for an alteration in of English light-keepers, as implied by the regulations affecting the cockling the Question. A Committee is inquiring into the administration of the Mercantile Marine Fund, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights informed the Board of Trade that they were not able to consider a Petition of Irish light-keepers until that Committee had made its Report. industry; and, as the matter affects the livelihood of a number of persons, is he able to grant the prayer of the petitioners, or if he will order a public Inquiry to be made into the subject? MR. RITCHIE: I have received the Petition to which the hon. Member refers, and it has been explained to the fishermen that these regulations can be altered only on the application of the Lancashire Sea Fisheries District Com who are, under statute, the body charged mittee, by whom they were made, and the district. I have not yet received with the supervision of the fisheries of LINEN AND JUTE INDUSTRIES. BRISTOL POST OFFICE. MR. LEWIS FRY (Bristol, N.): beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether it is the fact that 40 messengers attached to the Telegraph Department of the Bristol Post Office will shortly be any such application. discharged on account of their having attained 16 years of age, and without having any other employment offered to them in the Postal Service; and whether, *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, in view of the hardship which will be thus Forest of Dean): I beg to ask the inflicted upon a number of young men Secretary of State for the Home Departwho have satisfactorily fulfilled their ment, whether he will consider the duties as public servants, he will consider possibility, in any amendment of the the propriety of withdrawing the notice Factory Acts, of extending to the linen. of dismissal given to the messengers in and jute industries legislation similar to question, or of modifying the Regulation that contained in part a of Sub-section 1 under which they are to be discharged? of Section 40 of the Act of 1895 ? |