§ MR. MANSFIELDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he will state, in connection with the Government's inquiry into the proposal of preferential trading with the colonies, whether it is the intention of the Government to ascertain the views of Colonial Governments as to the details of a scheme of preferential tariffs; if so, what steps they propose to take to ascertain those views; whether it is the intention of the Government to come to a decision with Colonial Governments as to the details of their scheme before such scheme is placed before the country; or will the Government formulate their scheme and give the country an opportunity of deciding upon it before it is offered to the colonies.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I think that on the important questions which the hon. Member's Question raises it would be very premature for me to attempt to give an answer at present.
§ MR. BRYCEMay I ask whether, if those communications do pass between the Colonial Governments and His Majesty's Government, they will be presented to this House?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe right hon. Gentleman will see that if, as I have said, all statements on my part on this question would be premature, a hypothetical question based upon a supposed answer must be still more premature.