§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)asked the First Lord of the Treasury when he will state the terms of the proposed reference to the Committee on Royal Grants?
§ *THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, WestminsterI informed the hon. and learned Member on the 18th of March, that I did not think it possible or desirable to place on the Paper the terms of the reference to the Committee until I saw some chance of being able to proceed with it. I must add it is not a matter of urgency, as there is no immediate intention to apply to the House for a grant which would come within the definition given by the right hon. Member for Mid Lothian; but as soon as I have any reasonable hope of being able to proceed with the Motion, which I understand the hon. and learned Member intends to oppose, I will not only put it on the Paper, but I will also give him full notice personally of the terms of such reference.