§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether any arrangement with the Australian Colonies for naval defence, which is made subject to the approval of the Colonial Parliaments, will also be submitted, without delay, for the approval of this House; and, if so, whether he can say when, and in what shape, the matter will be brought forward?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)I am glad to say that the Colonial Delegates agreed to an arrangement, subject to the approval of the Colonial and Imperial Parliament, which will conduce to the effective strength of the Navy, and establish a partnership in the expenditure connected with that force which did not before exist. Papers on the subject will be laid upon the Table of the House in due course, and so soon as the respective Colonial Parliaments have signified their acceptance of the scheme.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLIs this House to have no opportunity of expressing an opinion until the Colonial Parliaments have done so?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONThe hon. Gentleman must be aware that any proposal connected with expenditure must be laid before this House.