§ MR. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if his attention has been called to the difficulties which arise, under Standing Order 22, in the making of tramways in London in order to facilitate the housing of the working classes; and, whether, having regard to the pledges which were given by the Government in relation to that subject during the last Parliament, immediately before its close, the Government propose at an early opportunity to take measures to give effect to those pledges.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware of any specific pledge of the nature referred to, though of course there are strong arguments in favour of the course my right hon. friend wishes to see adopted. I ought to remind my right hon. friend that, even if we effected an alteration in the Standing Orders, that alteration would not complete the reform he desires to see carried out—legislation would be required in addition.
§ MR. CHAPLINIs my right hon. friend not aware, or has he forgotten, that on the Third Reading of the Housing of the Working Classes Bill, and with the sanction of my colleagues, I gave such a pledge on behalf of the Government myself?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have not that in my memory, and my attention has not been called to the fact.