§ MR. D. F. GODDARD (Ipswich)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will agree to the Motion for a Return relating to the Revenue and Taxation of the West Indian Colonies, which stands on the Paper this day?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The information which would be contained in the 1st and 2nd heads of the Return for which the hon. Member asks is set out in tables included in the appendices to the Report of the Royal West India Commission, which has been laid before Parliament, up to the end of 1896—the returns for 1897 have not yet been received. The preparation of the 3rd return asked for would take a considerable time, and it would not be available in time for any discussion on the proposals to be made for the relief of the West India Colonies. In these circumstances I trust that the hon. Member will not press his proposal, at all events, in its present shape.