§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can name an early day for the introduction of the Naval Works Bill.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)In the present state of public business it is impossible for me to fix a date for the introduction of the Naval Works Bill, but I am specially anxious to meet the convenience of the House upon it, because I understand that on this Bill the hon. Gentleman desires to make some observations on the subject of Gibraltar. I think that would be a proper occasion, and I quite recognise that there are special reasons connected with the events of this year which make it important, if possible, to take an early opportunity for discussing this matter.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONThere will at any rate be a Bill?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes.
§ MR. ASQUITH (Fifeshire, E.)Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will make his promised statement on the subject of Gibraltar?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI said "very shortly," which I suppose may be interpreted, without any violent exegesis, to mean next week or the week after.