§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if, having regard to the inquiry of the Select Committee on Alien Immigration throughout the sessions of 1888 and 1889, he will confine the reference to the new Committee to ascertaining whether the time contemplated in the Report of the former has come for legislation; and if he will move for the nomination and appointment of the Select Committee as soon as possible, so that it may proceed without delay.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (MR. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI do not think it would be expedient, or even possible, to confine the inquiry in the manner suggested by my hon. and gallant friend. With regard to the last part of the Question, it has not yet been decided what form the inquiry shall take, whether by Royal Commission or Select Committee.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTAs time is pressing, will my right hon. friend hurry the matter on, so that an early decision may be come to?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURYes, Sir, I shall see that there is no unnecessary delay.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTI will repeat the Question in ten days time.