§ MR SAMUEL ROBERTS (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the President of of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been called to a Resolution recently passed by the City Council of Sheffield in favour of the establishment of a Gold Assay at Sheffield; and whether he will introduce a Bill to give effect to such Resolution.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURYes, sir, the Resolution referred to was forwarded to me and I informed the City Council that I was not myself prepared to propose legislation, but that any Bill on the subject that might be introduced by a private Member would receive my careful consideration. I would suggest that those who are interested in the subject might consider whether the matter is not one to be dealt with by a local rather than by a Public Bill.