HC Deb 10 March 1871 vol 204 c1764
MR. BIRLEY

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he does not consider that it would be desirable to prohibit, by express enactment, the exportation of arms and destructive munitions of war to Belligerent States?

MR. BOUVERIE

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, I wish to ask you, Sir, whether it is consistent with the rules and practice of the House to ask Questions such as this? The subject of the Question, put by the hon. Member, is matter for debate, and I submit it is not in conformity with the rules of the House respecting Questions without debate to ask a Minister his opinion on a matter of great public policy; Questions may be asked as to facts respecting public affairs, or the intentions of a Minister, but if any Question was desired to be put concerning this matter, it should have taken the form of an inquiry whether the Government intend to bring in a Bill in relation to the export of arms and munitions of war to belligerent States.

MR. SPEAKER

I think the hon. Member for Manchester has passed the prescribed rule relating to Questions, in asking the opinion of the Minister upon a point of so great importance as that to which his Question relates. And I think this is more especially the case in view of the fact that the subject is one which, not very long ago received the full attention of the House, on the occasion of a Bill being passed in the last Session in relation to it.

MR. BIRLEY

Then may I ask if the Government mean to introduce a Bill on the subject?

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, in answer to the Question of the hon. Member, and also to a Question which stands on the Paper in the name of the hon. Member for East Devon (Mr. Kennaway), I may say that the Government have not at the present time any intention to bring in a new Bill, or to propose amendment in any existing Bill, on the question of the export of arms and munitions of war to belligerent States. I may state, also, that there is no Correspondence on the subject between Her Majesty's Government and the representatives of belligerent Powers other than that which has been already laid upon the Table of the House.