absolutely prohibiting the sale on the demised premises of beer, wine and spirits, except in cases of lettings expressly for hotels or licensed houses. The number of leases of licensed houses granted in 1906 was two, both of which were renewals of former leases. Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the Suppression of Licensed Houses. MR. C. NICHOLSON: I beg to ask the right hon. Member for the Hallam Division of Sheffield, as representing the Church Estates Commission, whether he will say what public houses or beerhouses on the estates of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners were suppressed or renewed during 1906; and of these how many were suppressed without compensation; and what is the number and the estimated capital value of the publichouses and beer-houses respectively now on the estates of the said Commissioners. MR. STUART WORTLEY: In 1906 the number of public-houses of which the leases were renewed by the Commissioners was 2, the number of those of which the leases lapsed and of which the licences were allowed by the Commissioners to lapse at the same time (without compensation) was four. In some cases during the year notices have been received that the question of renewal has been referred to Quarter Sessions under the Act of 1904, but these cases, so far as I am aware, still await the decision of Quarter Sessions. The total number of public-houses on the Commissioners' estates is 332. The Commissioners have not the information necessary to enable me to answer the hon. Member's Question so far as it relates to beer-houses. These, however, are always suppressed voluntarily by the Commissioners so soon as the properties upon which they stand come into the possession of the Commissioners. I am unable to give any estimate of the capital value of the publichouses. MR. EVERETT (Suffolk, Woodbridge): I beg to ask the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam Division, as representing the Church Estates Commission, whether he will say if the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are prepared to take into consideration the evils connected with the presence on licensed premises of children, and to make it a condition of their assent in future to the licensing of premises, other than residential hotels, on their estates that persons under fourteen years of age shall not be allowed thereon. MR. STUART WORTLEY: The Ecclesiastical Commissioners regard the grave question of the presence of young people on licensed premises as one to be dealt with by general legislation, and not one in which any such action as the hon. Member suggests by them as ground landlords of some licensed houses could be in any degree effectual. If such conditions were inserted by the Commissioners in their leases they would have no means of ensuring the observance of them. Crofter Commission. MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland): I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been directed to the fact that the Crofters' Commission is largely in arrears with its work, especially in Orkney and Shetland; and if, in view of the Small Landholders Bill, he will take measures to expedite the hearing and settlement of all cases that are now pending, several for a number of years. THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR, Forfarshire): The information I have received is that the arrears to be dealt with by the Commission are not greater than at the close of recent years. The number of cases pending in Orkney and Shetland is fortytwo and fifteen. After the publication of the Report now about to be issued the Commissioners will arrange to hear outstanding cases with all practicable speed. Illegal Trawling in the Moray Firth. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state the number of foreign trawlers prosecuted for trawling in the Moray Firth since the decision in the High Court of Justiciary, and the result of such prosecutions. MR. SINCLAIR: Since the decision in the High Court of Justiciary, nine different men have been charged with twenty offences. In three cases the complaints were withdrawn pro loco et tempore; in the remaining cases convictions were obtained. The penalties in two cases were £75 or forty day's imprisonment, in the remainder £100 or sixty days for each offence. MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY: How many of these men were foreigners? Island of Lewis-Sanitation. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that on page 56 of the last Report of the Local Government Board for Scotland it is stated that the present condition of affairs in the Island of Lewis cannot be allowed to continue, and that it is essential that there should be in the district a proper staff consisting of a MR. SINCLAIR: I must ask for medical officer of health and at least one notice of that. Tweed Fishery Prosecutions. SIR J. JARDINE: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if the discontent produced by the number of arrests and prosecutions under the Tweed Fishery Laws has been brought to his notice, and if he can state the number of persons prosecuted in the counties of Roxburgh and Selkirk in the year 1906. MR. SINCLAIR: The facts of this matter have been brought to my notice. The statistics are made up to 31st May in each year and the number of persons prosecuted in the counties of Roxburgh and Selkirk for the year ending 31st May, 1906, was 122. For the period from that date to 9th February, 1907, the number was 106. Line Fishing in the Moray Firth. MR. ANNAN BRYCE (Inverness Burghs): I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that since the more strict enforcement of the regulations against trawling in the Moray Firth, there has been a marked improvement in the takes of the line fishermen; and whether the Fishery Board considers that the improvement in the take is due to the diminution of trawling. MR. SINCLAIR: I am aware that the haddock fishing prosecuted from Fraserburgh to Wick during July and December last, yielded better results than those obtained during the corresponding period of 1905, but I am also informed there was a similar improvement in the case of the fishing prosecuted from several of the districts between Peterhead and Eyemouth. It would therefore be difficult to say whether this increased yield could be attributed directly to a diminution in trawling. sanitary inspector, giving their whole time to their duties; and, seeing that it is now nearly two years since the Local Government Board for Scotland received from their medical inspector, Dr. Dittmar, a Report calling attention to the deplorable sanitary condition of the townships in the island, will he state whether any Treasury for the funds requisite to deal application has yet been made to the with the question; and, if not, will he explain why this has not been done. MR. SINCLAIR: I am well aware of the facts. The matter is under the serious consideration of all the departments concerned, but as my hon. friend knows, it is not a simple problem, and I am not at present able to make any statement. Island of Lewis-Public Health Requirements. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland if he will state what sum falls to the share of Scotland under the General Aid Grant for the current year, and will he consider the expediency of applying a portion of that sum to the public health requirements in the Island of Lewis, especially bearing in mind that the last Report of the Local Government Board sets forth that the local authority express their inability to deal with the subject on account of the public health assessment for the island being already at its maximum. the Grant or any portion thereof to improving the health conditions of its schools. Whale Fisheries Bill. MR. SUTHERLAND: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether a Government Bill is to be introduced to regulate Whale Fisheries in Scotland, and, if so, when. MR. SINCLAIR: It is my intention to introduce the Bill referred to and I hope to do so on an early date. Highland Crofters. MR. WEIR: I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland in view of the growing dissatisfaction in the Highland crofting counties at the delay in introducing a Bill to amend the Crofters' Act of 1886, will he consider the expediency of introducing before Easter a Bill to meet the requirements of the Highlands, leaving the rest of Scotland to be dealt with in a separate measure. MR. SINCLAIR: The Bill will be in troduced as soon as possible. The suggestion of my hon. friend was carefully considered and rejected last year; and there is no intention of departing from that decision. Rosslare Telegraph Facilities. MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.): I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that a cross-channel steamer service is now operating daily at the port of Rosslare, on the cost of Wexford, but that no telegraph office exists for the convenience of travellers and the general public; and will he direct that this want shall be immediately supplied. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: Rosslare pier is only open to persons travelling by the steamers, and there is no case there fore for establishing a public (postal) telegraph office there. The Great Southern and Western Railway Company had at one time a public telegraph office at Rosslare Pier Station, and if they are willing to re-open it I shall certainly make no objection. Postal Deliveries near the Rosslare Railway. MR. FFRENCH: I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether inquiries have yet been made regarding a second delivery at the various villages through which the Rosslare Railway passes; and if he can say what is the decision arrived at. MR. SYDNEY BUXTON: The in quiries in the matter, which necessarily take some time owing to the extent of the district affected, are not yet completed, but I hope shortly to be able to effect some improvement in the postal service at some, at least, of the villages in question by making use of the railway, as suggested. Greystones Harbour. E.): On behalf of the hon. Member for MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, East Wicklow, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the condition of Greystones harbour, and of condition of Greystones harbour, and of remedy for it and some means of improvthe fact that, with a view to finding a ing it, a local committee of representative men has been formed; that this committee has employed an engineer to ment; that the committee asked the make an estimate of the cost of improveBoard of Works to allow its engineer to see the original plans and sections of the harbour in order to facilitate him in his work; that the Board of Work have refused the committee's request; and will he see that the committee is facilitated in its work by the Board of Works or any other Irish department or board they may make any reasonable application to. MR. RUNCIMAN: I understand the facts to have been correctly stated by the hon. Member. He has, however, omitted to mention that the Board of Works upon receiving the application inquired the purpose for which it was made and were informed that the committee wished its engineer "to prepare a scheme for the improvement of the harbour with a view to getting a free grant from the Government" and that it was to serve this end that the inspection of the plans was desired. As the decision of the Treasury not to make a grant had been announced in answer to a Question by the hon. Member of the 5th December last the Board of Works thought that no useful purpose would be † See (4) Debates, clxvi., 969. served by complying with the committee's called to the fact that in Ireland the request. Law of Compensation for Malicious Injury. MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.): I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in Ireland there exists a law under which a person alleged to have suffered from malicious injury may receive compensation from the ratepayers of the district; whether any such law exists in Great Britain; and, if not, whether he will consider the necessity of extending the Irish law to Great Britain. THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling Burghs): I am informed that the facts are as stated in the first part of the Question, and that no similar law exists in Great Britain. Nor do I see any occasion for extending it to this country, but if the hon. Mem ber introduced a Bill for that purpose I have no doubt it would be fully considered. MR. HAYDEN: Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of extending the English law to Ireland? police authorities in each county furnish the going Judge of assize with a Report. on the state of the county, and on offences other than those on the calendar for trial, and that it is the practice for the Judge to comment on these Reports; that no such practice, either in regard to the Judge or the police, obtains in Great Britain; and whether he will consider the advisability of extending the Irish practice to Great Britain, or the British practice to Ireland. SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN: I think the Answer to this Question is practically the same as I gave just now to the hon. Member. The facts are as stated in the first part of the Question, and the practice referred to is not followed in this country. Nor do I see any advantage in obtaining its introduction here. MR. HAYDEN: Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advisability of assimilating the law in the two countries? SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN: I do not think that comes within my realm. MR. HAYDEN: Will the right hon. SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN: Gentleman favourably consider a request There is no English law. for a Parliamentary return of Reports supplied by the police to Irish judges? SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN : That Question should be addressed to the Irish Government. The following Questions were asked on Thursday last : Canadian Wheat Exports. MR. REMNANT (Finsbury, Helborn): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware that according to the Canadian Returns the exports of Canadian wheat to the United Kingdom amounted to 11,280,000 bushels in the twelve months ending 30th June, 1905, and to 36,028,000 bushels in the twelve months ending 30th June, 1906, and of flour 593,000 barrels, or 1,037,000 cwt. and 944,000 barrels, or 1,652,000 cwt. in the same time, whereas, according to the monthly Returns issued by the Board of Trade, the imports from Canada in the same periods amounted to 8,142,000 Votes. bushels and 19,708,000 bushels, respec- they might take other Army or Navy tively (assuming 60 lbs. to the bushel), and of flour 1,607,000 cwt. and 1,736,000 cwt. respectively; and whether he can explain the difference in these two sets of figures. NEW MEMBER SWORN. John Henry Whitley, esquire, for the Borough of Halifax. NEW BILL. MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: The differences between the figures alluded to by the hon. Member arise mainly from the fact that the figures given in the monthly VALUATION (IRELAND) BILL. accounts relating to trade and navigation "To effect an equitable administration with regard to imports of wheat and flour from Canada and the United States of of any new general Valuation in Ireland," America, classify such imports (except presented by Mr. James O'Connor; supin cases where the official documents ported by Mr. Field, Mr. Ffrench, and enable a distinction to be drawn between Mr. O'Malley; to be read a second time Canadian and United States produce) upon Friday, 12th April, and to be according to the country from which the printed. [Bill 101.] produce was shipped direct to the United Kingdom. A certain amount of United States produce shipped via Canadian ports is accordingly classified as Canadian and vice versa. MR. REMNANT: May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he did not base his figures on the Canadian Return when he stated that 92 per cent. of the wheat supply of Canada came to this country, whereas if he had relied on the British Blue-book it would have been only 50 per cent. MR. LLOYD-GEORGE: Yes, I think I did quote from the Canadian book in that particular. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. MR. A. J. BALFOUR (City of London): Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any indication as to future business? SUPPLY [3RD ALLOTTED DAY]. (In the Committee.) [Mr. EMMOTT (Oldham) in the Chair.] CLASS IV. Board of Education Royal Palaces CLASS II. £ 25,000 24,000 7,000,000 CLASS I. 20,000 5,000 50,000 20,000 30,000 SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN said that on the following day the Scientific Investigation, etc. Reports of Civil Service and Army Supplementary Estimates would be taken, and Committee of Ways and Means set up. On Wednesday the Report of the Civil Services Vote on account would be taken, and on Thursday the Report of the Army and Navy Votes, the Report of the Ways and Means Committee (after eleven o'clock), and the introduction of the Army Annual and Either on Consolidated Fund Bills. Tuesday or Thursday, if time permitted, Royal Parks and Pleasure |