§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can arrange that ample time shall be given for the discussion of the Resolution on the Brussels Sugar Convention, and that it shall be taken at such a period of the session as will give the interests throughout the country which are affected by the Convention as full opportunities as possible of expressing their opinion for the guidance of Parliament; and whether, if the Resolution which the Government will submit to the House should be carried, the Treaty will come into operation even though Parliament should decline to sanction the legislation which he has stated will be necessary to bring its provisions into operation in this country.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, Sir; it is my hope that adequate time will be found for the discussion of the Resolution. That Resolution will bind Parliament to give legislative sanction to the Treaty. I cannot anticipate that Parliament will decline the obligation.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot give any pledge as to the date, but it cannot be very long delayed.