§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)I should like to put a Question to the Leader of the House, and, in order that it may be clear, may I remind him and the House that on Friday we had a very interesting Debate and Division on the Uganda policy of the Government, but from the necessities of the case that Debate and Division were taken upon the propriety of the Government retaining Uganda, and, of course, we supported them in that policy. But in the course of the speech of the Under Secretary it became apparent that the Government had not made up their minds to do that which, at all events, most of us on this side think necessary for carrying out that policy—namely, the constructing of the railroad. It was impossible for us either to debate or to divide on that very important matter; and I would ask the Government whether they would consider the propriety of giving us some opportunity of discussing it and having a Division upon it? I should put down the 313 terms of the Motion I should like to see discussed. It would not be intended to be a Vote of Censure, and it would be to this effect—
That this House, taking note of the decision of the Government to retain Uganda, assures them of its support in any action they may take to secure the construction of the railway as recommended in Sir Gerald Portal's Report.It would not be couched in a controversial spirit and would not be intended to imply censure on the Government. I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give us some opportunity of laying our views upon this subject before the House?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTWhen I promised to give a day to the discussion of Uganda, I meant to give a day. The right hon. Gentleman's Motion would have been perfectly in Order if it had been moved the other night. [Mr. A.J. BALFOUR: No.] At all events, the only answer I can give to the right hon. Gentleman at present is that I cannot give more time for the discussion of Uganda until we have got on with the Finance Bill.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUROf course, I recognise that there is some reason in the observation of the right hon. Gentleman with regard to the pressing character of the business now before the House. I do not ask it as a right, for we do not put it as a Vote of Censure—as a Vote of Censure I presume the Government would feel called upon to give us the time—but I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consider in a favourable light the propriety of granting the request I have made when the Finance Bill is further advanced.
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI will consider that matter.