HC Deb 01 May 1902 vol 107 cc454-5
* LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (Woolwich)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will place a Supplementary Vote upon the Estimates to defray the expenses of the Council of Defence, in order that the question of imperial defence may be discussed as a whole.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I think that the suggestion of my noble friend is one which can hardly be adopted. In the first place, there are no expenses connected with the Council of Defence, and in the second place, the Council of Defence is, after all, merely a Committee of the Cabinet; and I do not think it would be a desirable thing—certainly it would be an extremely novel thing—that a day should be devoted to discussing the proceedings of a Cabinet Committee.

* LORD CHARLES BERESFORD

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that Vote 12 for the Navy and Vote 13 for the Army will not be included in the block of Votes closured at the end of the session?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Of course I will do my best to preserve from the final closure any Vote which the House at large desires to discuss, I will consider the particular application of that general principle in consequence of my noble friend's desire.