HC Deb 04 May 1896 vol 40 cc450-2
MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Colonial Vote will be set down for next Friday?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

The Government were prepared to give next Friday for the discussion of the Colonial Vote, but since then the Secretary for the Colonies informs me that the Papers cannot be got ready until Friday morning the earliest, and under these circumstances it might be more convenient to alter the arrangement of business and defer the consideration of the Colonial Vote until Members have had the Papers in their hands. If that is the wish of the House I would give notice to proceed with the Education Bill and put down the Colonial Vote for Tuesday next.

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)

did not understand the Papers were necessary for the discussion on Friday. It had been represented to him that a large number of Members desired some explanation on the part of the Government of the circumstance relating to the cipher telegrams, and of the course which had been taken in regard to them. It seemed to him to postpone that explanation would not be expedient, and Friday certainly was a late day on which to have a statement from the Government on the subject. He therefore hoped the right hon. Gentleman would adhere to the original arrangement, and set apart Friday for the discussion of the Vote.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

was disposed to think it would be more convenient to defer the discussion till next week, but, in the face of the appeal of the right hon. Gentleman and of the numerous pledges he had given to the House, he could not for a moment stand in the way of the accomplishment of the right hon. Gentleman's wishes. The Papers had only an indirect and remote relation to the telegrams published on Friday last, but at the same time there were some hon. Gentlemen who wished to speak in regard to them on the Vote.

MR. LABOUCHERE

asked whether it was not understood that they should adjourn the discussion from Friday to Tuesday if necessary.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

did not think it would be necessary to finish the discussion of the Colonial Vote on Friday, but the Government could not well be asked at this stage of the Session to give two days to the discussion.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked whether, as the Papers could not be laid on the Table before Friday, it would not meet the general wishes of hon. Members, apart from a section on the other side of the House—[cries of "Oh, oh!"]—that the Debate should be postponed until Tuesday, as suggested by his right hon. Friend.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

understood the section of Members to which his hon. Friend referred was the whole of the Opposition. ["Hear, hear!" and laughter.] He imagined his hon. Friend would probably be able to give his views to the House with considerable completeness on Friday, even in the absence of the Papers. [Laughter.]