§ THE SECRETAEY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HENRY H. FOWLER),in rising to move the Resolution, said: I do not want, at this late hour, to enter into any details on this subject, because I understand that it is the desire of hon. Members that the debate should be ad- 2014 journed. If the Motion is made for the adjournment I shall not object.
§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That the Contract, dated the 19th day of January 1886, for the Construction of a Submarine Telegraph Line from the Island of St. Vincent to the West Coast of Africa be approved."—(Mr. Henry H. Fowler.)
§ MR. LABOUCHEREI did hope, seeing that this is a proposal to levy a heavy charge upon the Exchequer for a number of years, that the hon. Member for Wolverhampton (Mr. Henry H. Fowler) would have brought it forward at a reasonable hour. It is perfectly monstrous that these midnight raids should be made upon the Treasury. I know one hon. Member is absent who, if he is correct in his statement, is prepared to show that this contract ought not to be made.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Debate be now adjourned."—(Mr. Labouchere.)
§ MR. HENRY H. FOWLERI shall be glad to have the opportunity of showing that this is a contract which ought to be signed in the public interest; at all events, that it is absolutely necessary to be settled in one way or the other. I shall bring it up to-morrow.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Debate adjourned till To-morrow.