MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury can he now lay on the Table of this House the formal document embodying the agreement which had been come to by His Majesty's Government on 30th September, 1902, with the American International Mercantile Marine Association, and which was in course of execution on 18th May last; will he afford this House an opportunity of discussing that agreement, and also that with the Cunard Company, before their final execution; in what form does His Majesty's Government propose that these agreements shall be discussed, and if by Resolution, can he undertake that the Motion for a Resolution approving them shall be set down as First Order at an afternoon sitting; and, in view of the delay that has occurred, can he now undertake that the discussion on this matter shall be taken within some definite fixed time.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe agreements are not yet signed, and I do not think it would be possible or proper to lay them on the Table of the House until they are signed. When the arrangements are finally concluded they will be placed on the Table, and I will do my best to secure a suitable opportunity for their discussion.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESI have asked repeated Questions on this point. Considering there has been eight months' delay, can the right hon. Gentleman name some definite time for the discussion, especially in view of the serious rumours published in the Press in regard to the American combine?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think it would be desirable to attempt to name a date, which must turn on the course of Parliamentary business. I conceive it improbable, almost impossible, that a day should not be found before the close of the present session.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have always said there should be "a fitting opportunity."