§ MR. BRADLAUGHI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to a petition signed by Sir W. Wedderburn, Bart., as President of the Indian National Congress, recently held in Bombay, asking 437 for the restoration of the right of raising matter of grievance, with Mr. Speaker in the Chair, prior to the annual Budget statement; and whether the Government will consent to a Resolution in the terms of that petition or in those of the Motion of the hon. Member for North Kensington?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH, Strand, Westminster)My attention has been called to a petition signed by Sir W. Wedderburn, as President of the Indian National Congress recently held in Bombay, and also to the Resolution founded on it standing in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for North Kensington (Sir Roper Leth-bridge), but Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to recommend such an alteration in the rules of the House as is suggested in the question, as they are of opinion that it is of greater advantage to the interests of India that the time at which the Indian Budget should be considered should be fixed than that Motions should be raised on the Motion for going into Committee. A Bill will be introduced in the course of the present Session which will give hon. Members an opportunity for the discussion of Indian grievances.
§ MR. BRADLAUGHIs the Bill to which the right hon. Gentleman refers likely to be introduced early in the Session? A very late introduction of a Bill would only further delay and irritate.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHYes, Sir; I hope that it will be introduced at an early period, so as to afford the opportunity for discussion which hon. Members desire.