§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much British money has recently been expended in Newfoundland under circumstances under which relief from taxes is habitually refused in England; and 373 what Vote will be presented on which the appointment of an Imperial Relief Commissioner can be discussed.
§ MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAINAbout £15,000 was expended by the Special Commissioner in the relief of distress in Newfoundland, in addition to which he gave guarantees amounting to about £7,000. The sum which will have to be paid under these guarantees will depend on the success of the fishing operations. A vote will be proposed for the sum of £20,000 on this account in the Supplementary Estimate of the amount required in the current financial year for sundry colonial services, and the subject can be discussed on that occasion. I may add that the circumstances in Newfoundland under which this relief was given have, happily for us, never been paralleled in this country; but, nevertheless, although generally cases of distress must be dealt with by the local authorities and out of local funds, there have been occasions of an exceptional character upon which Her Majesty's Government have felt justified in giving assistance, even in England, while in Ireland it has been matter of common occurrence.