§ MR. SCHWANN () Manchester, N.I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he will state on what date will the Governmenta agreement with regard to a subsidy to the Cunard Lineof steamers be submitted to the House.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is impossible at present to fix a date.
§ MR. SCHWANNWill it be taken this session?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn the present state of business, I cannot promise a date in the present session.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Board of Trade 514 promised us a data in the course of this session?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUROf course, if a pledge was given, I will do my best to redeem it, but I hope that the House will have consideration for the amount of labour already imposed on us.
§ MR. BRYCE () Aberdeen, S.I hope that, if this Cunard agreement is laid on the Table, the Morgan agreement will be laid at the same time.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURBefore I answer I should like to consult the President of the Board of Trade.