HC Deb 08 November 1888 vol 330 cc650-1
MR. PICTON (Leicester)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the time when the Special Commission on the Sugar Bounties is to meet, the Government intend, during the present Session, to propose any Vote for the expenses of the Commission?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

It will not be necessary to propose any Vote for the expenses of the Special Commission on the Sugar Bounties.

MR. PICTON

Will any money be expended before a Vote of this House is taken?

MR. W. H. SMITH

What money?

MR. PICTON

For the expenses of the Commission.

MR. W. H. SMITH

There are practically no expenses.

In reply to Mr. LABOUCHERE (Northampton),

MR. W. H. SMITH

said, that any small expenses incurred were paid out of the Vote for Special Commissions, or out of the ordinary Vote for the Foreign Office.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

Do the Government not intend to stand by their pledge, and give the House an opportunity of discussing the whole question?

MR. W. H. SMITH

The Government are in the habit of standing by their pledges.

MR. CONYBEARE

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to give the House any opportunity this Session of discussing this question at all?

MR. W. H. SMITH

Not this Session.

MR. CONYBEARE

When is it proposed that the Convention shall be ratified?

MR. W. H. SMITH

That will not be during the present Session.