§ MR. LOUGHI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury a Question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether the grant to the West Indian Islands provided for in the Supplementary Estimates issued to-day covers the promise of assistance made to those Colonies in the Queen's Speech, and, if so, when he intends to take the discussion on the Vote; if not, when will we have the full proposals of the Government?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Vote will be duly proposed; but the Supplementary Estimates do not in any sense cover the whole ground of the statement made in the Queen's Speech. It is, relatively speaking, but a small matter which is dealt with in the Supplementary Estimates. Of course, if the Navy Estimates are taken this week, as I still hope they will be, the Supplementary Estimates cannot come on until next week. But if the arrangement in regard to the Navy Estimates should break down, which, however, I am loath to believe, we may have to take the remainder of the Supplementary Estimates this week.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYIt is quite impossible that the full proposal can be taken before Easter. There are conclusive reasons against giving at present the date when my right hon. friend the Colonial Secretary will make his statement.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREWill the reasons be given on the discussion on the Supplementary Estimate?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESThe reasons are that we are engaged in negotiations with the United States and Canada in regard to a possible reciprocity arrangement. Until these negotiations are concluded, and until any results at which we may arrive have been submitted to the Legislatures of the United States and Canada and accepted by them, it is quite impossible to give any idea as to what the condition of the West Indian islands will be, and under the circumstances it will be impossible to make a proposal.
§ MR. LOUGHCannot the Supplementary Estimates be deferred until the time of which the right hon. Gentleman speaks has arrived?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESNo, Sir. The hon. Member will see that the Supplementary Estimates merely carry out two among many of the recommendations of the Royal Commission, one being to clear off certain floating debts which are found to be a great impediment in the case of the smaller Colonies, and which they cannot possibly clear off themselves, and the other is a small grant for roads in two of the Colonies which are at the present moment practically without these means of communication.