HC Deb 13 May 1889 vol 335 cc1855-7
SIR LYON PLAYFAIR (Leeds, S.)

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in compliance with the promise of the Government on 11th April, that before the 16th of May the Government would fix a day on which they would propose to proceed with the Second Reading of the Sugar Convention Bill, he would now state the day fixed?

*THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH, Strand

The Government regard the Bill in question as not being one of immediate and pressing importance; and, as there are other measures which require the early consideration of the House, it is not the intention of the Government to take the Second Reading of the Sugar Convention Bill before Whitsuntide. They will give ample notice of the date when the Second Reading will be fixed.

MR. GLADSTONE (Mid Lothian)

In connection with the declaration of the right hon. Gentleman, that this is not a measure of urgent and pressing importance, I wish to ask him whether he has heard anything of the proceedings of the Protectionist Party in France and other countries, who are founding themselves on this Sugar Convention Bill as a means of obtaining restrictive legislation in those countries; and whether, if that is so, it is not a matter of very urgent importance that the decision of Parliament upon this Bill should be taken at the earliest possible date?

*MR. W. H. SMITH

No, Sir; I am without the information to which the right hon. Gentleman refers; and I am of opinion that we must, and that we are entitled to, proceed with the business which is now before the House, and which is of greater and more pressing and immediate importance than that to which the right hon. Gentleman now alludes.

MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (Liverpool, Scotland)

May I ask whether the attention of the Government has been called to the serious derangement in many of the industries of this country which has followed the announcement of the intention of the Government to increase the price of sugar—[Ministerial cries of "Oh!"] Well, I will withdraw that remark, and I will ask whether, in view of the derangement of many of the industries of the country in consequence of the announcement of the Government with regard to sugar, the right hon. Gentleman does not consider it a matter of urgent importance to state what the views of the Government are on the matter? Should the Government determine not to proceed with the measure, will the right hon. Gentleman make an immediate announcement of that fact to the House?

MR. CAUSTON (Southwark, W.)

Is the House definitely to understand that the Bill is withdrawn, or only postponed as a matter of convenience as to time for taking the Second Reading?

MR. W. H. SMITH

The hon. Gentleman is to definitely understand that which I have clearly stated to the House in my answer. I have to say, in answer to the hon. Member for Liverpool (Mr. T. P. O'Connor), that we entirely deny that there is any derangement of industry whatever at the present time.

MR. MUNDELLA (Sheffield, Brightside)

I have had a letter from a former Member of the House and a large employer of labour, Mr. George Palmer of Reading, asserting that there is such a derangement of business, and, therefore, I ask the right hon. Gentleman to make an announcement as to the intentions of the Government at the earliest possible moment. Already the French Government are taking steps in the matter.

MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

Is the First Lord of the Treasury aware that the price of sugar to the poor has considerably risen and is still rising, and whether that does not make the matter one of urgent and pressing importance?

*MR. W. H. SMITH

My attention has not been called to any considerable rise in the price of sugar. No doubt the price is higher, but it is not attributable to the proposed Convention. The price of sugar for delivery in the autumn is, I understand, much lower than usual.

SIR L. PLAYFAIR

As the Convention is not to be ratified until the autumn of next year, does the right hon. Gentleman mean by postponing the Bill that it is only postponed until a later period of the Session, or postponed to any time before the ratification?

*MR. W. H. SMITH

I am very anxious to give all the information in my power, but it is impossible for me to say more at the present time than I have already said. The Government regard the business before the House—the Scotch measures especially—as of great importance, and they do not think they can proceed with the Sugar Convention Bill until after those measures have been disposed of.