§ Mr. Wallaceseeing the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury in his place, wished to put a question to him with respect to the proceedings he meant to adopt relative to the commerce and finances of the country. On the 4th of March last year, the right hon. Baronet told the House that as soon as he had got a vote of supply he would state the course he meant to adopt as to his commercial and financial measures, and on the 12th March he laid his interesting statement before the House. He represented a large and important community, which had a great stake in commerce, and he wished to inquire whe- 1037 ther the right hon. Gentleman had made up his mind, and would communicate to the House, what would be his course of psoceeding as to the commercial and financial measures he might bring for ward?
§ Sir R. Peelapprehended that the question which the hon. Gentleman had asked him, and of which he had been good enough to give notice, in substance meant, at what time her Majesty's Government would bring forward their financial statement, or budget, for the year. He could only state generally, that at as early a period as was possible, her Majesty's Government would submit to the House their views as to the financial condition of the country, and, of course, its bearing on the commercial interests; but he could not lead the hon. Gentleman to expect that it would be at an earlier period of the Session than had been usual in former years. Of course it was desirable that progress should first be made in the estimates, and especially under the particular circumstances of the present year. He was sure the hon. Gentleman would see that there were particular reasons in the present year, on account of which it would be highly inconvenient to anticipate the usual period of the financial statement,
§ Mr. Wallacewished to understand whether the House were not to expect the statement until after the 5th of April.
§ Sir R. PeelCertainly not till after the 5th of April—quarter-day.