§ MR. E. ROBERTSON (Dundee)asked, with reference to the Orders Nos. 7 and 8 on the Paper (Committee on the Trinidad and Tobago Bill and the British Settlements Bill), Whether it was the fact that those two Bills had been read a second time before copies had been distributed to hon. Members; why those Bills should have been so long delayed; why they should be proceeded with so hurriedly now; and, whether, in consideration of the circumstances in which those Bills had been laid before the 366 House, the Committee stage would be postponed until Members were better acquainted with the Bills?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster), in reply, said, that as no Notice had been given of the Question, he had been unable to confer with the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Sir Henry Holland); but he was informed that the Bills were circulated yesterday; that there had been no opposition to them; and that they were purely formal measures; and, therefore, looking to the period of the Session, it would not be right to postpone them.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONsaid, he might be allowed to say that they had not been circulated yesterday.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)I did not get one.
§ MR. F. S. POWELL (Wigan)said, that if it was to be a question of testimony, he could say that he got his at 9 o'clock yesterday morning.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONsaid, it surely could not be that they had been distributed to only one side of the House? But, in any case, they were not merely formal Bills. One was a very important measure, and he would resist it.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI will communicate with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who has charge of the Bills; but I regret that the hon. and learned Member should oppose measures which are only formal.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONOne of them is very important.