§ MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if any arrangement can be made to enable Members of the House of Commons to show their appreciation of President Loubet's visit and the friendly feeling animating a neighbouring nation.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not quite know what the hon. Gentleman has in view when he talks of some method of showing our appreciation of President Loubet's visit. Perhaps it would be by a Resolution of this House.
§ MR. LAMBERTNo, no.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat is the only mark of the sentiment of this House which I think it would be possible for us to give; and I have not the slightest doubt that if a Resolution of congratulation was proposed in this House it would be unanimously carried, and, indeed, enthusiastically received on both sides of the House and in every quarter of the House. But the hon. Gentleman will remember that we have to be very careful about starting new precedents, especially new precedents having anything in them of a ceremonial character. If it is done in the case of President Loubet, it could never be refused in the case of any subsequent visit of the representative of a great Power to this country without an implied slight; and such a visit might be paid under circumstances in which, while the great majority of the House would no doubt desire to show their appreciation, a section of the House perhaps might use their right of debate to express sentiments which would certainly not conduce to international harmony. Under these circumstances, much as I sympathise with the object of the hon. Member, I think it would be unfortunate if we were to endeavour to establish a new precedent on this occasion.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that under the present Rules it is impossible for any private Member to suggest such a Resolution as the right 1416 hon. Gentleman refers to, and that the only method is by the action of the Government?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUROf course it would be possible for the Government to propose such a Resolution, and if it were proposed I am quite certain it would be universally accepted. What I endeavoured to point out to the House was that, however happy such a proceeding might be in the present circumstances, I can easily imagine circumstances under which it would not be unanimously accepted.
§ MR. LAMBERTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether facilities will be given to the House of Commons to join in the reception of President Loubet?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not know how that can be done—President Loubet arrives at Victoria in an hour and a half—unless we adjourn to the station to meet him.