COLONEL LONG (Worcestershire, Evesham)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the character of the Royal Declaration Bill, and that at this period of the session many members are paired against each other who would be agreed on this particular Bill, he will consider the advisability of not introducing it in the House of Commons this session.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)If I may judge from reports which I have seen of what passed in another place, from correspondence in the newspapers, and from indications I have observed in this House, the persons for whose relief this Bill is intended do not appear to be satisfied with it. I gather also from a different quarter that objection is taken to the Bill. In these circumstances it is evidently quite impossible for us to deal with this matter at the close of the session.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWhat course do the Government propose to take on the First Reading, which, as I understand, comes on mechanically?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI understand there will be no First Reading.