§ MR. W. J. GALLOWAY (Manchester, S. W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, if he can state when the Government will be prepared to put down the Colonial Vote?
§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.); Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman can kindly inform me when he will take the Army Estimates?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I am afraid I cannot at present give an answer to the hon. Gentleman opposite. With regard to the Question of my hon. Friend, I have to say, as it was stated by my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary yesterday, the Government have no objection to take the Colonial Vote on Friday week, if there were any general desire on the part of the House that such a course should be pursued. I think, however, it would be desirable that my hon. Friend and others specially interested in the South African Question should wait until they see the Papers. They will then be better able to judge whether next Friday week will be a convenient time for the discussion.
§ MR. GALLOWAYMay I ask when the Papers will be laid on the Table?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I hope to lay them on the Table this week, and I hope they will be in the hands of hon. Members at the beginning of next week.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)There is no desire whatever on the part of Gentlemen on this side of the House to press for a discussion, and the right hon. Gentleman will agree with me that there ought to be plenty of time allowed to consider the Papers.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe Government are entirely in the hands of the House. We are not pressing for a discussion.
§ MR. J. MORLEYWhat I wanted to say was that we are not pressing. [Laughter].
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. J. MORLEYasked the First Lord of the Treasury what would be the business for Friday?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI propose to put down Class 3, Law and Justice, and Classes 6 and 7, Non-effective and Miscellaneous.