§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether be can state the exact terms of the Government Minute laid before the Executive Council of Malta, on 30th April, intimating that if the Education Vote were postponed or reduced such action would be considered 616 equivalent to a rejection; and whether he can cite any precedent for this interference with the Executive Council of a British Colony.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe Minute referred to by the hon. Member was as follows—
Chief Secretary,—I consider that the Education Votes have been fully discussed and that there is nothing new on the main question that can be usefully repeated. The course taken by you of accepting a Vote on Account at the sitting of the 26th of March, though approved of under the very exceptional circumstances of that occasion would not now be justifiable, therefore any further postponement or any temporising expedient tending to evade a decision on the Vote for the financial year will be taken as a rejection of the Vote.The circumstances in this case are very exceptional, and I know of no precedent which would be of any guidance.