Committee, but he was quite certain that it was not by Committees that this subject could be settled. This Committee would have to guard itself very strictly against the danger pointed out of descending into the usual controversies concerning the Mar Peerage. 1 2 THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES) thought that it would be unwise to re-open this question, which had long been settled, for good or ill. An inquiry into a Peerage claim was very different from any other legal proceeding, in consequence of the number of years that the inquiry extended back. In the Annandale Peerage case, for instance, the Committee had to investigate a line of descent commencing in the 15th century. He had received a letter from a noble Duke (the Duke of Buccleugh) who had taken much interest in the matter, in which he stated it would be impossible for the Committee to go into the whole of the details of the subject unless they were prepared to sit for many months, or perhaps years, and that it would involve a large expenditure of money, public as well as private. He agreed with the remarks that had fallen from the noble Lord who had just sat down, and he hoped the House would agree to the Amendment of the noble Lord behind him. THE EARL OF GALLOWAY said, the' only object of the part of the Resolution" objected to was to investigate and see whether this Decreet of Ranking was a document of value, without the intention of going into any particular Peerage He could not but hope their Lordships might think it best, therefore, to accept the Resolution proposed by his noble Friend opposite in its entirety, after hearing the remarks of the Lord Chancellor on the subject." THE EARL OF AIRLIE said, that, in accordance with the feeling of the House, he was willing to accept the Amendment of the noble Lord (Lord Balfour of Burleigh). On question, that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the motion, resolved in the negative; and motion, as amended, agreed to. House the arrangements that have beenTM made for the accommodation of Members of both Houses on the occasion of the Royal Review at Windsor to-morrow. Space for about 500 has been roped offs in front of the Royal carriages and to the left of the saluting-point. The Ranger will do his best to provide accommo dation for Members' carriages behind the Royal carriages. THE LORD CHANCELLOR: It may also be for the convenience of the House that I should state that arrangements have been made for special trains for the conveyance of Members of both Houses to Windsor to-morrow; but that no arrangements have been made for1 special trains for the return journey. [Laughter.] Perhaps I ought to modify that statement by saying that at present I have not received information that any arrangements for return special trains have been made. MINUTES.]-PURLIC BILLS-Ordered First Reading-Solent Navigation [207]; Parlia First Reading-Charitable Trusts* mentary Revision (Dublin County) [208], [209]. Second Reading-London City (Parochial Cha rities) [18], debate further adjourned." 1975 Committee-Land Law (Ireland) [135] R.P.EI Removal Terms (Scotland) [8], debate ado journed. Third Reading Solicitors' Remuneration [100], and passed. Withdrawn-Corn Returns (No. 2) * [76]. it ei 4 ·SOUTH AFRICA THE TRANSVAALE COMMISSION. SIR HENRY HOLLAND asked the' Under Secretary of State for the Colo N 2 mies, If he can state to the House whether the labours of the Transvaal Commission are drawing to a close; and, if no information has been received upon the point, whether he will cause an inquiry to be made of the Royal Commissioners as to the progress they are making, and the probable termination of their inquiry? SIR CHARLES W. DILKE: Sir, a telegram has been received from Sir Hercules Robinson, from which it appears that if good progress continues to be made, the Commissioners hope to complete the principle portions of their work in about three weeks from the present time. SOUTH AFRICA ZULULAND ALLEGED REMOVAL OF THE REMAINS OF THE LATE KING, PANDA, MR. R. N. FOWLER asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the alleged digging up and removal of Panda's remains in Zululand have made their Report; and, if so, will he lay it upon the Table of the House? SIR CHARLES W. DILKE: Sir, Commissioners were not appointed; but the Secretary of State for War desired Sir George Colley to report upon this matter, and a despatch was received from him, from which it appeared that no trustworthy information could be procured. A telegram has been sent to Sir Evelyn Wood asking whether any further steps were taken by Sir George Colley. There will be no objection to produce the Papers when they are complete. that on or before the 1st of January of the present year every district in England and Wales should pass bye-laws regulating school attendance. The result has been that about 1,200 sets of bye-laws, embracing a population of 6,500,000, have been passed. In settling bye-laws for a Union, composed of a number of parishes, we have endeavoured as far as possible to secure uniform standards for partial and total exemption for the whole Union. To effect this we have, in some instances, had to lower, and in others to raise, the standards in certain parishes. The general effect, however, has been to raise the standards, and in thousands of parishes to supply standards where none were previously in force. In the factory towns and districts the half-time standard has, in some instances, been reduced. This is owing to the fact that before the passing of the Act of last year it was contended that no standard was requisite in the case of factory children. These and all other children are now required to pass a standard before going to work, so that, although the nominal standard has in a few instances been lowered, the effect of the Act has been to raise the standard and increase the efficiency of educational work throughout the country. I have already laid on the Table a Return showing the standards in force in every parish and borough in England and Wales, and this, I hope, will meet the requirements of the hon. Member. ARMY (AUXILIARY FORCES)—THE VOLUNTEER REVIEW AT WINDSOR. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION ACT, 1880- THE O'DONOGHUE asked the SecreTHE STANDARD OF EXEMPTION-tary of State for War, If it be true that BYE-LAWS FOR SCHOOL ATTEND. the request of Sir Frederick Roberts and Sir James Hill to attend on the staff, on the occasion of the Volunteer Review at Windsor, previous to returning to India, has been refused; and, if so, on what grounds? ANCE. MR. SUMMERS asked the Vice President of the Council, Whether one of the results of the passing of "The Elementary Education Act, 1880," has been that some School Boards and School Attendance Committees have lowered the standard of education fixed by their bye-laws for the total or partial exemption of children from the obligation to attend school; and, whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a Return showing the extent to which the Act has operated in this direction ? MR. MUNDELLA: Sir, the Elementary Education Act of 1880 required Sir Henry Holland MR. CHILDERS: Sir, before I answer this Question, I think I ought to gather whether it is the wish of the House to make the selection of officers for the Staff at Reviews the subject of Parliamentary criticism. I cannot find that in either House of Parliament such interference with the discretion of the military authorities has ever taken place, and I must appeal to the House to support me if I decline to answer a Ques tion which would form a precedent for | inquiries, in my opinion, quite beyond FRANCE AND ENGLAND-THE NEW the province of Parliament. THE O'DONOGHUE gave Notice that, in consequence of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, he would renew the Question on going into Committee of Supply. SCHREIBER asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will apply to His Royal Highness the Ranger of Windsor Park to admit Members of both Houses of Parliament wishing to attend the Volunteer Review on Saturday to the reserved spaces in Windsor Park on either hand of the position to be occupied by Her Majesty, and so grant them the same privileges as have already been conceded to others of Her Majesty's subjects? The hon. Member said he heard yesterday, for the first time, that Windsor Park was under the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and that, consequently, no Member of the Government had communicated with the Ranger on the subject of his (Mr. Schreiber's) Questions relating to the Volunteer Review. Therefore, the animated conversation in the House yesterday would be the first intimation received by the Ranger of the wishes of the House, with which he felt sure His Royal Highness would be anxious to comply. He hoped now to hear from the Prime Minister that they would be able to-morrow, as Members of the Legislature, whether enclosed between hurdles or not, to testify their admiration of the fine spirit which would bring 50,000 men to Windsor. MR. CHILDERS: Sir, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to state what has been done in this matter. After the conversation in the House last night, I saw Mr. Gore, one of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and we telegraphed to the Ranger of Windsor Park our opinion that, under the circumstances, provision should be made for reserving places at the Review for Members of the Houses of Parliament. Space for 500 is roped off, accordingly, in front of the Royal carriages and to the left of the saluting point, and 300 tickets will be sent to Mr. Speaker for Members of this House by 5 o'clock this afternoon. As to Members' carriages, the Ranger will make the best arrangements he can behind the Royal carriages. COMMERCIAL TREATY NEGOTIA MR. BIRLEY asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the magnitude and variety of the interests involved in the negotiations with France fore in town modified Commercial Treaty, he will take measures to afford the utmost publicity to the inquiry now being conducted by the Foreign Office. MR. GLADSTONE: Sir, I hope the hon. Member will be content with my giving him a general answer, for a general answer is the only answer that can be given. A more particular and pointed Question is going to be put to me next week by the noble Viscount the Member for Liverpool (Viscount Sandon). Before that Question is put, we shall observe the state of things before the Commission, and perhaps I shall be able to say something more. All I can say at present is that the hon. Member himself cannot be more desirous than we are to have the support and advantage of public opinion, and of information from every source. Consequently, to the utmost extent of our liberty we shall desire to associate Parliament and public opinion with us in all the steps. we may have to take. TELEGRAPH ACTS, 1863 AND 1868 TELEGRAPH WIRES OVER PUBLIC SIR HENRY TYLER asked the First Lord of the Treasury, with reference to the responsibility of local authorities for the safety of the public as regards casualties from the fracture of the wires stretched over the public thoroughfares, Whether he will be so good as to state under what Act of Parliament this responsibility is thrown upon the local authorities, and what power the local authorities have to control the General Post Office or other authorities in fixing the wires; and, whether he is prepared to recommend a departmental inquiry, with a view to the avoidance of the serious risk now incurred to all persons using the thoroughfares under those wires? 570 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES), in reply, said, that as this was a legal Question he would answer it. By the Act of 1863, Seo tions 9, 10, and 12, Telegraph Com-them. In point of fact, it is obvious, panies were restrained from placing posts when we come to consider it, that the and wires along thoroughfares without selection of the Commissioners implies the consent of the body having control the acceptance of responsible offices by of such thoroughfares. By the Act of Gentlemen to whom any offer or pro1868 the Act of 1863 was made to apply posal could be made, and that they to the Postmaster General. Therefore, would naturally desire for to know what that Act only restrained Telegraph Com- are the duties to be placed on them bepanies and the Postmaster General; but, fore they make up their minds on the in relation to other public bodies and to matter. It so happens that in this parprivate individuals placing posts and wires ticular instance we have two or three along the public thoroughfares, the re- questions that must necessarily stand sponsibility of seeing that they were over, as matters now stand, until we properly placed so as not to cause danger have got through the clauses of the Bill. to the public rested with the body hav- Whatever may be proposed with respect ing control of the streets and highways. to labourers, and as to what has been In the opinion of the Government, no- proposed, at least with respect to arrears thing had arisen to render necessary a and other things, these are matters Departmental Inquiry with a view to which the Committee have not had an avoid the risk to persons using the opportunity of determining; and, therethoroughfares under the telegraph wires. fore, probably the best way will be to If any wire were erected to which the postpone the matter. local authorities took exception on the score of danger to the public, they could restrain the Postmaster General in the OLAND LAW (IRELAND) BILL MR. GLADSTONE: I can promise two things, Sir. In the first place, we will not propose Clause 34 till we are ready to put in the names; and, in the second place, we will not propose Clause 34 without giving Notice of the names we intend to ask the House to put in. I think, however, the most convenient course would be to postpone Clause 34. We have proceeded on the principle we adopted at the time of the passing of the Irish Church Act, on a principle approved by the House then, and a reasonable principle too-namely, that it would be well to determine all the important and material duties of the Commission before we proceeded to name The Attorney General SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE asked whether the right hon. Gentleman also intended to postpone the clause relating to the salaries and powers of the Commissioners ?. MR. GLADSTONE said, he thought not. In accordance with the promise he made some time since, he would place an Amendment on the Paper, or describe generally various changes and, he hoped, improvements which they intended to make with regard to the arrangements relating to the Commission. He thought those might be very well considered before naming the Commission. On the Motion of Mr. ATTORNEY GENEBAL for IRELAND, Amendment made in page 13, lines 4 and 5, by striking out the words "a solvent tenant would pay," and inserting "would be a fair rent." MR. LITTON moved as an Amendment, in page 13, the omission of the word "may in line 13, in order to insert the word "shall." That, he said, was a very short Amendment, but it was one of some importance. The provision of the clause was to indemnify the tenant who purchased from the Land Commission against circumstances adverse to the title of the landlord. He thought the Committee would agree with him that it should be the duty, and not the option, of the Commission to indemnify the purchasing tenant under those circumstances. Amendment proposed, in page 13, line 13, to leave out " may," and insert "shall."-(Mr. Litton.) Question proposed, "That the word 'may' stand part of the Clause." mission of selling to the tenant and taking his money for the purchase, they should be bound to give a covenant against encumbrances. If it were left optional with the Commissioners, it would be competent for them to say, "We will give no indemnity," and the purchaser might be exposed to eviction. He was surprised that the Prime MinisAmendment. He did not like, however, ter did not see his way to accept this tleman's opinion, because he deferred to press it against the right hon. Gen to the right hon. Gentleman's opinion very much. Probably the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Attorney General for Ireland could give some explanation as to why the Amendment should not be regarded as a reasonable one. If the purchaser was to be made safe, it could only be done except through the intervention of the Commission, and he ought to get an indemnity from the Commission against any claim that might afterwards be made. It would be very unreasonable for the purchaser to have to defend a law suit with heavy costs by reason of some oversight on the part of the Commission, or of their refusal to give the indemnity which they ought to give. He was very un the Prime Minister, but he entertained a strong opinion upon the subject. MR. GLADSTONE: I hope my hon. and learned Friend will be content with the word "may." It is a very strong provision, indeed, in favour of the ten-willing to set his opinion against that of ant, to authorize the Commission to take upon themselves the risk of doubts and ambiguities appertaining to the title. I am not aware that any such enactment| has ever before been authorized as that of allowing any body of persons to take upon the State in the way now proposed the discharge of doubts or ambiguities in future contingencies. I think it necessary that we should preserve the ultimate discretion of the Court. MR. HEALY thought the sub-section would only give the tenant a right of action against the Commission in case he was subsequently evicted, and he would ask the Government to give the Land Commission the same power that was possessed by the Landed Estates Court. He would ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether this interpretation was not correct? MR. LITTON said, he was not so unreasonable as to ask that the Land Commission should make such an inquiry into the title of the landlord as would be sufficient to secure a statutory title. But it seemed to him that where the onus and duty was cast upon the Com THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. Law) did not see how the Commissioners were to investigate the title of the vendor unless they had the means of investigation. The Commissioners were merely to act as intermediaries in this matter between the original owner and the purchasing tenant. They should not be bound in every case to make good the title. They would, no doubt, do it in all reasonable cases, and that was really the meaning of the word "may;' " but the word "shall gave no alternative such as ought to be retained. The Court might be trusted to do what was right, and they would give the indemnity where it was reasonable to do it. SIR JOSEPH M'KENNA thought the case might be met according to the view suggested by the hon. and learned Member for Tyrone (Mr. Litton), by inserting the words " shall, unless released from that obligation by the grantee.". That would provide that the Court should indemnify the purchaser of |