§ COLONEL SIR H. VINCENTI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if, having regard to the fact that a Bill has now been sent down to this House from the Lords dealing with the immigration of destitute aliens, similar to that introduced by the Marquess of Salisbury in 1894, he will appoint a day for its Second Reading and take charge of the Measure on the part of the Government, bearing in mind the promises of Ministers and their supporters at the General Election and the statements in the Queen's Speech of 11th February, 1896?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.My honourable and gallant Friend is quite right in saying that this Bill substantially reproduces the Bill introduced by the Prime Minister, and that the general policy embodied in the Bill is one with which we have the utmost sympathy; but he will also remember that I gave a pledge that no Measure not introduced by the Government at the time I spoke, when I asked for special privileges from the House, which was of a controversial character, should be discussed after that date, and under those circumstances I am precluded, even if it were otherwise possible to do so, from fulfilling my honourable and gallant Friend's wishes.
§ COLONEL SIR H. VINCENTWill my right honourable Friend endeavour to bring this matter forward next Session?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI can hardly pledge myself to construct a premature Queen's Speech, but it is a matter that does engage the earnest attention of the Government.