Court, but by the Adjutant-General, has established all the facts, no one of which is in dispute, or even in doubt. There is no objection to publishing the facts in greater detail than has already been given to the House. In respect of the omission to order that helmets should be worn by all men provided with them the Commander-in-Chief considers that the action which he has taken meets the requirements of the case. In respect of failure in the supply of light refreshments to two battalions, and of the number and duration of halts on the march back to camp, the AdjutantGeneral is inquiring into the action taken by individual officers commanding battalions, and the Commander-in-Chief will administer such reprimands or cautions as each case may demand. 8TH HUSSARS-OFFICERS ON SPECIAL DUTY. COLONEL WELBY (Taunton): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Le Gallais, and Major and Brevet Colonel Mahon, 8th Hussars, have been employed on special duties away from their regiment, the former for about six years, the latter for about ten years, without being seconded, so that none have been promoted or appointed to do their regimental work; and whether he can see his way to a rule being made that whenever an officer is employed away from his regiment for more than twelve months continuously he shall be made supernumerary in his regiment, in order that those doing his regimental work may have due rank, and the complement of officers doing duty with the regiment be kept complete. *MR. WYNDHAM: Majors employed extra-regimentally are replaced by captains, who carry out the necessary regimental work. In reply to a further question by Colonel WELBY, *MR. WYNDHAM said additional captains were appointed to do the work, but not additional majors. PROMOTIONS OF SECOND LIEU TENANTS OF ARTILLERY AND ENGINEERS. MR. NEWDIGATE (Warwickshire, Nuneaton): I beg to ask the Under t Secretary of State for War whether the Secretary of State for War has now come to a decision as to whether second lieutenants of Artillery and Engineers should be put on an equal footing as regards promotion with second lieutenants of cavalry and infantry. *MR. WYNDHAM: This question is still under consideration. MILITIA OFFICERS' PAY. MR. BOSCAWEN: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that the officers of embodied Militia are placed on exactly the same footing as Line battalions, so far as duties and pay are concerned during embodiment, and that in consequence the senior major of a Militia battalion, though not formally appointed second in command, has the same duties to perform as the second in command of a Line battalion, whether he ought not to receive the additional pay, over and above a major's pay, which is given to the seconds in command of Line battalions. *MR. WYNDHAM: The question is under consideration. MILITIA COMMISSIONS. MR. BOSCAWEN: I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that subalterns of Militia, who joined the force in order to obtain commissions in the Line, are unable to obtain them during embodiment, because their services are required with their Militia units, while at the same time a number of commissions are being given to the universities and public schools, to boys who have never done any soldiering, but who will now become their seniors in the Army; and whether the commissions given to Militia subalterns at the end of embodiment can be ante-dated, so that they shall not lose seniority through ser vice in the Militia. *MR. WYNDHAM: My hon. friend is under an entire misapprehension. majority of the commissions given to Militia officers recently have been granted to officers while serving in embodied regiments and bear date prior to those given to the university candidates, who, it should be remembered, are all over twenty years of age. No commissions have as yet been given to any public school boys. MR. BOSCAWEN: I want to know not what has been done, but what is going to be done with reference to those subalterns now serving in the Militia, in many cases abroad, who are unable to come home and prepare for examination, and in many cases may not be able to compete at all. *MR. WYNDHAM: That is not the question on the Paper. It deals with embodied subalterns. But I hope in a very few days to publicly announce a modification of the conditions of examination on the lines laid down by the Member for South East Essex, namely, a proportionate number of marks for service of embodiment. MR. BOSCAWEN: And may I ask that the announcement may be made as soon as possible, in view of the great interest taken in this subject? *MR. WYNDHAM: The hon. Member need not ask that. The scheme is being worked at two or three hours daily. CHINA-ANTI-FOREIGN MOVEMENT PRESENT POSITION AT PEKING, TIENTSIN, ETC. MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information from China to the effect that the Foreign Legations at Peking are safe; and whether there is any further news from Tientsin or from the expeditionary force. THE UNDER UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford): We have no news from Peking, or from the expeditionary forces. A runner from Tientsin, 18th June, arriving at Ta-ku yesterday, gave information of the situation at Tientsin that several attacks had been made and repulsed. On 17th Chinese shelled foreign settlement. The Chinese Military College was then attacked by a mixed force of 175 Austrians, British, Germans, and Italians, who destroyed the guns, burnt the college with considerable store of ammunition, and killed the defenders. The Russians with their four heavy field guns did excellent service. The British loss was 1 killed, 5 wounded; the Germans, 1 killed; the Italians, 2 wounded; the Russians, 7 killed, 5 wounded. Chinese during night of 17th tried to seize bridge of boats, but were repulsed with loss, including, it is reported, a Chinese General. The Rear-Admiral at Ta-ku telegraphs last night that information has been received from Tientsin by that fighting was going on, and that reinrunner up to 20th June, to the effect forcements were required. We have heard further by telegram from the RearAdmiral, dated Ta-ku, last night, Chefoo this morning, as follows- "I am hoping that Tientsin may be relieved to-night, 21st June. No news from Com"Terrible" landed this morning 382 officers mander-in-Chief. Her Majesty's ship and men of the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers and Royal Engineers.' It is believed that various other bodies of troops will arrive within a day or two, if, indeed, they have not arrived already. Arrangements have been made by Her Majesty's Government to supplement very considerably the force already placed under orders for China. BRITISH FORCES ON THE CHINA STATION. SIR J. COLOMB (Great Yarmouth): I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state approximately the strength and composition of the British force on shore under the command of the Admiral Commanding-in-Chief on the China station; whether this force is composed of units drawn from Her Majesty's ships on the station, and whether the ships from which these units are withdrawn are complete in every respect in fighting efficiency; what proportion does the strength of force on shore bear to the the ships from which the force on shore number of combatants borne by aggregate has been drawn; and whether, on that distant station, any supplementary force to the complements of the ships is placed at Hong Kong or elsewhere at the disAdmiral, to enable him to provide for posal and under the control of the minor military operations and contingencies without detriment to the complete fighting efficiency of his fleet. THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MACARTNEY, Antrim, S.): My right hon. friend is unavoidably absent, but he wishes me to give his reply as follows:-"We have no information as to the composition of the British force on shore under the command of Admiral Seymour, and I am thus prevented from answering the questions on that point; but no doubt large numbers cannot be landed from ships without diminishing their fighting efficiency. The answer to the last question is in the negative, but, of course, the hon. and gallant Gentleman will remember that there are troops at Hong Kong who cooperate with the naval authorities when the necessity arises." SIR J. COLOMB: But they cannot fill up the vacancies on the ships. How do the Admiralty propose to replace the men taken away by Admiral Seymour ? MR. MACARTNEY: I must ask for notice. THE PRESS AND FOREIGN OFFICE *MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eition): I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will he explain why advance copies of printed Papers issued by the Foreign Office are not presented to the Morning Leader in the same way as they are given to other daily papers; how many newspapers that support the South African policy of the Government receive these Papers, and how many papers that oppose that policy are similarly privileged, and whether the printed Papers are supplied by the Foreign Office at the public expense; and how many sets of Papers are so distributed, and among what papers. *MR. BRYN ROBERTS: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all these papers support the South African policy of the Government? [No answer was returned.] OUTRAGE ON A BURMESE WOMAN AT RANGOON-THE WEST KENT REGIMENT. SIR LEWIS MIVER (Edinburgh, W.): I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he can state the names and rank of the officials in the several departments who have been held to share in the responsibility for the failure of justice in the case of the West Kent Regiment at Rangoon, and in what form in each instance has the Government of India marked its disapproval. THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing): The Government of India have given a most careful and thorough consideration to this matter, and their reports and conclusions have been reviewed by myself and by the Secretary of State for War. A certain number of officers, both civil and military, have been censured or otherwise punished for their part in the proceedings; but it has not been thought desirable, except in a few cases, to publish the decisions which have been arrived at; and I am therefore unable to give my hon. friend the information for which he asks. INDIAN BUDGET. to the continuance of the condition of affairs in India arising out of the famine, and in view of the desirability that a convenient opportunity should be given to the House to discuss questions of vital interest to the people of India under the present circumstances, he will arrange to take the Indian Budget at an earlier date this session than is usually the case. *MR. BRODRICK: Only a limited list! MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighof newspapers receive advance copies of shire, W.): I beg to ask the First Lord printed Papers issued by the Foreign of the Treasury whether, having regard Office, and the number of newspapers gratuitously supplied could not be increased without opening the door widely. Twenty-one press agencies and newspapers are supplied by the Foreign Office at the public expense namely, Central News, Central Press, Daily Chronicle, Daily Graphic, Daily Mail, Daily News, Daily Telegraph, Echo, Exchange Telegraph Company, Globe, London and China Telegraph, Money Market Review, Morning Advertiser, Morning Post, National Press Agency, Observer, Pall Mall Gazette, Press Association, Standard, Times, Reuter's Telegram Company. There is no information at the Foreign Office as to the views of these agencies and journals upon the South African policy of Her Majesty's Government. THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.): I have already answered the question. I cannot give the hon. Gentleman any promise of better treatment until I see what course public business takes. If an opportunity for earlier discussion really arises, especially in the special circumstances, I should be glad to meet the wish of the hon. Gentleman. REPORT OF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR soldiers or sailors and of telegraph OF FACTORIES. *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can now state when the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops will be in the hands of Members; and, when the copy was sent to the printer from the Home Office, and what was the date at which the last proofs were passed for press. I have also to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can explain how it comes that the Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops was only presente i l on Wednesday afternoon. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY, Preston): The Report is promised by Tuesday, the 3rd of July. All the manuscript of the tables was in the printers' hands by the 12th of April, and all the manuscript of the text by the 15th of May. The final alterations and corrections in the Lady Inspector's Report-which was the latest portion-were received by the printers last Wednesday morning. A final proof has been promised by to-morrow. W.C.D.O. AUXILIARY POSTMEN AND THE TWEEDMOUTH REPORT. MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will explain why six auxiliary postmen working at the W.C.D. Office are refused the benefits recommended by the Tweedmouth Com mittee to be granted to all auxiliaries working five hours and upwards, although they are doing exactly the same duty as others who are in receipt of these benefits; and will he, in pursuance of the promise given by him, see that this grievance is at once redressed. messengers for employment as assistant postmen on short-time postmen's duties occupying four hours a day and upwards was insufficient. These auxiliaries are paid at a higher rate than assistant postmen, but on the understanding that they have no claim to the privileges of annual or sick leave, boot allowances, pension or gratuity. LONDON TELEGRAPH SERVICE-TEA RELIEFS. MR. STEADMAN: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether, seeing that counter-clerks and telegraphists employed at the Eastern District Post Office and the Aldgate branch office are compelled to serve at the public counter during tea time, the Postmaster General will take steps to provide them with relief during this period in the interests of the staff and the public. MR. HANBURY: The counter-clerks and telegraphists at the offices in question --as at other offices in London-are allowed half an hour for refreshments in the middle of the day, during an attendance of eight hours, but they are not entitled to a second interval for tea. No objection, however, is raised to their partaking of tea when on duty, or of leaving the counter for this purpose when the state of the duty permits, which generally happens, as slackens down late in the day. The Postmaster General is not prepared to concede to counter-clerks and telegraphists the right to two intervals for meals in a normal attendance of eight hours. counter work CENTRAL TELEGRAPH OFFICE DINNER INTERVALS. MR. STEADMAN: I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is MR. HANBURY: The Tweedmouth aware that the staff in the cable room of Committee recommended that auxiliaries the Central Telegraph Office, London, are who were employed at the date of their being punished for taking thirty-one and Report in 1897 on duties occupying five thirty-two minutes for dinner, this relief hours a day and upwards should be allowed time being the only one permitted when annual and sick leave and a boot allow-on duty from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and that ance; but this was not to apply to future entrants. The auxiliaries to whom the hon. Member refers were employed last year in exceptional circumstances, when it was found that the supply of ex it frequently happens that one-half of the time is occupied in being served at the refreshment rooms, owing to the arrangements of that branch; and whether the Postmaster General will give instructions. MR. HANBURY: No officer has been that the clerks are to be allowed a reason- and chairman of the Manchester Ship able time for dining purposes. Canal, 1887-94; Lord Revelstoke, who is a director of the Bank of England and partner in Baring's; Sir Robert Giffen, late Comptroller-General of the Commercial, Labour, and Statistical Department of the Board of Trade; RearAdmiral Sir John Hext, who is Director of Marine under the Government of India and was a member of the Bombay Port Trust, 1883-98; the Hon. Alfred Lyttel ton, Q.C., M.P.; Mr. John E. Ellis, M.P., a coalowner; and Sir J. Wolfe-Barry, consulting engineer, Past President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. punished for exceeding his dinner time —thirty minutes—by one or two minutes. When, however, the excess has been three minutes and upwards the offender has been cautioned, and frequent repetitions of these excesses have very properly been punished by the infliction of extra duty. No relief from the instrument galleries for purposes of refreshment other than the thirty minutes for dinner time is given, but to all on duty later than 5 p.m. tea is served and partaken of by the telegraphists at their circuits. Some little delay in serving dinner is unavoidable at times, but such delay as fifteen minutes rarely occurs, and when the late return of a telegraphist is proved to have arisen from causes over which he had no control the excess time is of course excused. The Postmaster General does not consider that any fresh rule on this subject is necessary. MR. STEADMAN: Does the right hon. Gentleman think that thirty minutes is sufficient for a man to leave the instrument room, get his dinner, and come back again? MR. SPEAKER: Order, order! LONDON DOCKS ROYAL COM- MR. ALBAN GIBBS (London): Can the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade now state the constitution and terms of reference to the Docks Commission? THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon): The terms of reference of the Royal Commission on the London dock question are as follows "To inquire into the present administration of the Port of London and the water approaches thereto; the adequacy of the accom modation provided for vessels and the loading and unloading thereof; the system of charge for such accommodation and the arrangements for warehousing dutiable goods; and to report whether any change or improvement in regard to any of the above matters is necessary for the promotion of the trade of the port and the public interest." The list of members contains the names of Earl Egerton of Tatton, who was chairman of the Royal Commission on the Education of the Blind, Deaf, etc., 1884, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REPORT. MR. HERBERT LEWIS: I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education if he can say when the Report of the Education Department for the past year will be presented to Parliament; and whether in future years the former practice of presenting the Report before the Education Estimates were discussed will be adopted. THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (Sir J. GORST, Cambridge University): I am at present unable to say when the Report of the Education Department will be presented. It is a mistake to suppose that in former years the Report was presented before the Estimates were discussed. The statistics have in recent years been so presented and were presented this year. MOTOR CARS--SPEED REGULATIONS. MR. PRICE (Norfolk, E.): I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that throughout the country there are complaints of motorcars being driven at excessive speed and without due care for the safety of the public, and that the difficulty of identification prevents many of the offenders being prosecuted; and whether he will consider the advisability of every motorcar being compelled to carry a distinctive number of such size and so placed as to render identification easy. THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (MR. T. W. RUSSELL, Tyrone, S.): Some representations have been made to the Local Government Board with regard to this matter, and the whole subject, including the |