HC Deb 10 May 1895 vol 33 cc909-10
MR. GRANT LAWSON (York, N. R., Thirsk and Malton)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the reports from Her Majesty's Representatives abroad on Light Railways, presented to the House on the 23rd August 1894, will be printed and distributed before the Second Reading of the Light Railways Bill is taken?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (MR. J. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.

There is no objection on my part to the printing and distribution of these Reports; but this is a matter entirely for the House to decide. I do not think they are of sufficient importance to make it desirable to postpone the Second Reading of the Light Railways Bill until after their distribution.

MR. GRANT LAWSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me where those interested in the question can see these Papers?

MR. BRYCE

I presume in the Library of the House. It is perfectly easy, of course, to move to have them printed.

MR. W. E. M. TOMLINSON (Preston)

If a Motion is made for the presentation of these papers, will the Government assent to it?

MR. BRYCE

It is not a question of the Government assenting. The papers have been presented to the House already —in last August. It is for the House to order their printing and distribution.