§ MR. J. LOWLES (Shoreditch, Haggerston)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade—(1) whether his attention has been drawn to a statement in the Daily News of Saturday, to the effect that the Board of Trade is delaying the presentation of the Report of the Committee on Foreign Prison-made Goods; and (2) when such Report may be expected to be presented to the House?
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)asked whether it was not out of order to ask a question of a Minister founded on a newspaper paragraph without the hon. Member making himself responsible for the accuracy of the statement, except only in the case of foreign affairs?
§ * MR. SPEAKERI think the first part of the question is out of order for the reason suggested, but the hon. Member may ask the question in the second paragraph.
§ MR. RITCHIEI have not yet received the Report of the Committee on Foreign Prison-made Goods, and there is accordingly no truth in the suggestion that its presentation to this House is being delayed by the Board of Trade. I am unable to answer the second part of the question, but some days ago I gave directions for its presentation in dummy before the House rises, in order that it may be circulated to hon. Members during the Recess.