HC Deb 20 May 1903 vol 122 c1223
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when is it proposed to proceed with the Notice on the Paper to ask leave to introduce a Bill to enable the Brussels Sugar Convention to be carried into effect; and when, and in what form, do His Majesty's Government propose to ask the assent of this House to the expenditure to be borne by this country for the organisation and working of the permanent bureau and the permanent Commission which, by the terms of the Convention, must hold its first meeting at Brussels at latest by 1st June next.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not in a position to give a date for the introduction of the Bill to which my hon. friend refers. As regards the second part of the Question, as far as I am able to form an estimate in the matter, it will not be necessary to introduce a Bill into Committee of the Whole House. If, and when, any financial charge should come upon the taxpayer, of course that will be dealt with in the ordinary way on the Estimates.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to incur the expenditure for the permanent Commission, which must meet by 1st June, without first submitting an Estimate to the House. The expenditure must begin to accrue on the 1st June.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I must ask my hon. friend to give me notice of that Question.

MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)

Is there any intention of introducing the Bill before Whitsuntide?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have said I cannot fix a day.