§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what course the Government proposes to take with regard to the Notice of Motion on the Navy which stands in the name of the noble Lord the Member for the Baling Division of Middlesex?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI think the right hon. Gentleman is perfectly justified in putting this question. The Motion of which notice has been given by the noble Lord is one the significance of which is open to no possible question. It is a Motion for the displacement of the Government, and also for other important consequences to which I need not now advert. The first item is quite sufficient. It is our duty to meet that Motion at once, and we shall propose to assign a day for the purpose of the discussion. For that day we should incline to propose Tuesday next, which I think might be a convenient day. It is my intention to move as an Amendment to that Motion, after accepting certain preliminary words:—
It is a primary duty of the responsible Ministers of the Crown to make adequate provision for the naval defence of the Empire and the protection of its interests; and this House relies on Her Majesty's advisers to submit to Parliament definite proposals in due time and measure to secure that end.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am much obliged, Sir.