HC Deb 12 March 1896 vol 38 cc779-80
MR. W. E. M. TOMLINSON (Preston)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether, considering that the Second Reading of the Prison-made Goods Importation Bill is persistently opposed, and that under such circumstances there is no chance of its being passed into law without the assistance of the Government, he can see his way to promise any facilities for its discussion?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

I do not see much chance of my being able to find time for this Bill, for at present I have not succeeded in finding time for the Bills mentioned in the Queen's Speech. I may add that if the hon. Member in charge of the Bill had had the foresight to put it down on a certain Friday night, the Second Reading would now have been obtained.

MR. TOMLINSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that great interest is taken in this Bill in many parts of the country?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I am aware of that, and I hope great interest is also taken in those Bills mentioned in the Queen's Speech to which I have referred.