HC Deb 25 February 1895 vol 30 c1485
COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Her Majesty's Government will introduce the Bill to restrict the importation of goods made in foreign prisons by the forced labour of convicts and felons, in accordance with the unanimous Resolution of the House on February 19?

SIR W. HARCOURT

The Government stated that this is a matter that cannot be undertaken without careful inquiry, and I am not able to state when the Government will introduce the Bill. They will make inquiry, and it will be after that inquiry.

COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

As the right hon. Gentleman was not present in the House on Tuesday last, I wish to ask whether he has read the Resolution of the House, which declared that it is incumbent on Her Majesty's Government, in the interests of the industrial classes of the United Kingdom, at once to take steps to restrict the importation of foreign prison-made goods, and whether he proposes to disregard that unanimous Resolution of the House?

SIR W. HARCOURT

No, Sir; I have no intention of proposing anything of the kind. On the contrary. At the same time the Government cannot undertake to deal without consideration with a matter which in their opinion requires consideration.

MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)

How long will the consideration take?

SIR W. HARCOURT

That I cannot say.

COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

I will repeat the question.