§ Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Question [25th March], "That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the subsidies to steamship companies and sailing vessels under Foreign governments, and the effect thereby produced on British trade: "—(Sir William Walrond.)—
§ Question again proposed :—
§ (11.55.) MR. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid)contended that the House was not in a position to reappoint this Committee as it dealt only with the subsidies given in foreign vessels. A Committee had already sat, the reference to which was much wider than that now proposed, and it seemed strange that a Committee should be moved with a much narrower reference. As to the question of subsidies, they were now in a transition state. They were much more interested in the question of subsidies to British vessels, and this Committee had been taking evidence on that point, although it was outside their reference. By what right had they gone into that question I He objected altogether to a Committee going outside the power remitted to them, and in order that the Committee might be able to go effectively into that part of the subject he had proposed introducing words into the reference giving them the necessary power. The matter had been complicated by the appointment of an Admiralty Committee to deal with this particular question as regarded cruisers for the Navy.
§ It being midnight, the debate stood adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed tomorrow.
§ Adjourned at five minutes after Twelve o'clock.