The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-15 00:00:00

NOTICES OF MOTION.

Mr. T. CHAMBERS gave notice of his intention, on
the 28th instant, to move for a committee upon the
subject of Conventual Establishment.
Mr. LAYARD gave notice that on Friday he should
call the attention of the house to the present state of our
relations between Russia and Turkey.
Mr. PHILLIMORE gave notice that, on the 27th or
28th instant, he should move for leave to bring in a bill
to amend the law of simony.
RUSSIA AND TURKEY.

Mr. BA.ILLIE wished to ask Lord J. Russell whe-
ther there had been any treaty or engagement entered
into between the British Government and the Porte, or
between the French Government and the Porte, previ-
ous to the passage of the Dardanelles by the combined
fleets of the two nations ; and if so, whether such treaty
will be laid on the table of the house ? 2. Whether any
treaty, offensive and defensive, has been entered into be-
tween the Governments of England, France, and Tur-
key, or any proposals made by the latter power to attain
that object ; and if not, whether her Majesty's Ministers
are prepared to enter upon a war, and to send a great mili-
tary expedition to Turkey, without any guarantee or se-
curity that either France or Turkey may not at any
time make a separate treaty with Russia, or withdraw
from the war whenever it may suit their convenience to
do so. 3. Whether any proposals have been made by
the French Government relative to the mode of carrying
on operations as the several or conjoint occupation of
points or fortresses of the Turkish territories ? 4. Whe-
ther any such communioatione have been omitted from
the blue book, either in entire documents, or as cut out
from documents given in extract I
Lord J. RUSSELL said, in reply to the first of these
questions, he thought it would be better that he should
reserve his answer until Friday next, when the whole
subjeot of our relations with Turkey would be brought
under the attention of the house. He should be then
ready to defend and explain the policy which the Govern-
ment had thought it proper to adopt with regard to the
aggression of Russia. (Cheers.) As for the third and
fourth questions, in the existing state of affairs and
while war was impending, it would be highly inexpedient
that he should answer either of them. (Cheers.)
Mr. BAILLIE complained that the noble lord had
evaded the two first questions.
Lord J. RUSSELL had done nothing of the sort.
He had only deolined to answer them at present.
Mr. FRENCH wished to know if the Government
were in possession of%any information with regard to the
alleged bombardment of St. Nicholas and the descent of
Russian ships on the Circasian coast ?
Lord J. RUSSELL replied in the negative.
THE FIRE IN SOHO.

Admiral WALCOTT called the attention of the noble
lord the Secretary of State for the Home Department to
the facts elicited at the coroner's inquest, held on Friday '
last, the 10th inst., on the loss of eight lives by fire in
Princes street, Soho, viz., that the parish engine
of St. Anne's, Soho, which ought, under the provisions of
the 14th Geo. 111., cap. 78, secs. 74 and 75, to be kept in
a knoWn place, and to be readily accessible in cases of
fire, was not available on the occasion of the late fire.
owing to the want of proper powers under the said act
to engage any person to keep the fire-engine in order ;
and asked whether any means would be taken to remedy
the deficiencies of the said act, and appoint persons to
keep parish fire-engines in London in efficient and ready
working order.
Lord PALMERSTON said the circumstance had al-
ready been brought under his notice, and it certainly
appeared to him that the conduct of the churchwarden
had been both flagrant and extraordinary. They were
in possession of' an excellent fire engine ; but a year ago
they thought proper to discharge the keeper, and to lock
it up sci,that nobody could get at it. He did not know
whether, there was any law that could reach such con-
duct, but if there was, the honourable and gallant mem-
ber might rely upon it being put in force. (Hear, hear.)

THE MILITIA.
Mr. E. DENISON wished to ask Viscount Palmer-
ston whether his attention has been called to section 37
of the Militia Act, by which the expense of providing a
store-house for arms, accoutrements, and clothing, and
quarters for a sergeant-major and a portion of the non-
commissioned officers of the permanent staff, is to be
provided out of the county rate, while the boroughs, not
contributing to the county rate, will be exempt from any
portion of this charge.
Lord PALMERSTON said the attention of the
Home-office had already been called to the subject, and
it was now under consideration whether some change
could not be made in the law.
ARRESTMENT OF WAGES.

Mr. A. HASTIE wished to ask the Lord Advocate
when Mr. Hill Burton's report on the Arrestment of
Wages and the Truck System in Scotland will be pre-
sented to the house ; and whether it is the intention of
Government to introduce any measure on these subjects
this session.
The LORD ADVOCATE said the report would be
presented in due course. With regard to the second
part of the question the subject was now under conside-
ration.