§
The following Question appeared on the Paper:—
Mr. Havelock Wilson,—To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the hon. Members for Central Sheffield and Bolton have tendered their resignation from the Importation of Prison Goods Committee; and, if he will state what reason these gentlemen have assigned for their resignation.
§ The Question not being put,
§ COLONEL BRIDGEMAN (Bolton)said, it was hardly fair the Question should appear on the Paper and not be answered. With the permission of the Speaker he would put it, and ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he could read the letter he had received.
§ MR. BRYCEI am quite willing to answer the question. I would read the letter, but I have not got it with me. But I can say that the hon. Member who asks the question and the hon. Member for Central Sheffield have written me a letter requesting to be excused from further attendance at this Committee, and they have this morning sent me a draft Report, but I have not had time to read it. I understand the reason they assign for asking to be excused from further attendance at the Committee is, that they conceive the Committee has taken sufficient evidence to enable it to make a Report. I believe, however, that is not the view of the other Members of the Committee.
§ COLONEL BRIDGEMANWould there be any objection to placing our Report on the Table of the House?