§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state what progress has been made in reference to the establishment of the proposed Imperial Court of Appeal; and whether the colonies have intimated their approval of the establishment of such a court.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINArrangements have been made for holding towards the end of this month a Conference on the subject at which all the colonies will be represented. The object of this Conference is to elicit an expression of the opinion of the colonies on this subject, and pending the conclusion of its labours I am unable to make any further statement.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDHave the Government abandoned the intention mentioned in the King's Speech of introducing legislation this year on the subject?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINWell, Sir, I think that, owing to the time which has been taken by the negotiations with the colonies, it would be impossible to hold out much hope, even if the Conference should prove unanimous, of giving effect this session to any conclusion which may be arrived at.