HC Deb 05 November 1902 vol 114 cc140-1
SIR HOWARD VINCENT

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade a Question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether he is aware that the Royal Commission on Alien Immigration has held no meeting since July, although the Commissioner of Police has reported to the Board of Trade that the number of foreign Jews in the East-end of London is increasing, and that the area inhabited by them is very largely extending.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)

I am afraid I cannot add anything to the reply I gave my hon. and gallant friend the other day, to the effect that I have no sort of control over the proceedings of the Royal Commission. I think if I were to address such a question to the Commission they might consider it an interference with their duties.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

Is the chairman of the Royal Commission unable to continue the presidency of the Commission, and, if so, cannot another chairman be appointed?

[No answer was given.]