MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, in view of the fact that the Brussels Sugar Convention prescribes that the first meeting of the Brussels Permanent Commission shall be held not later than 1st June next, and that the expenses incurred forits organisation and working are to be borne in part by this country, and of the 1647 fact that the assent of this House has not yet been obtained, or asked for, to any such expenditure, do His Majesty's Government propose to incur the expenditure in question without previously obtaining the assent of this House; and, if so, out of what funds and under what conditions do they propose to provide for it.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs my hon. friend is aware, the House in November last passed a Resolution in these terms. They undertook to adopt the necessary measures to enable His Majesty's Government to carry out the provisions of the Brussels Convention. In view of that undertaking, it will be competent for the Departments concerned, with the consent of the Treasury, to charge any necessary expenses out of the moneys voted for their services. The usual practice in such a case is to call attention by a note on the Appropriation Account of demands which are not expressly provided for in the Estimate. Of course, if the money is not sufficient, a Supplementary Estimate will have to be presented.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESHas the right hon. Gentleman consulted the authorities of the House in order to ascertain whether such a Resolution authorises the expenditure of public money by the Government in this way?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt is not in my province to answer for the authorities of the House, but I have done my best to discover whether the procedure is one in consonance and harmony with the general practice of the House.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWhich are the Departments immediately concerned — the Board of Trade or the Foreign Office?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI should think the Foreign Office mainly.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn view of what I have said, I apprehend it will be competent for the Department concerned, with the consent of the Treasury, to 1648 charge any necessary expense to the money voted for their service.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)Will there be any opportunity of discussing the expenditure on the Sugar Convention at all this session?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, on the Bill.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEWhen will it be introduced?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think there will be any long delay in introducing the Bill.
§ MR. BUCHANANWill the money be spent before the Bill is introduced?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have explained that the Treasury are of opinion that they have adequate authority for such expenses—travelling expenses entirely, as a matter of fact—under the Resolution already passed by the House.
§ MR. JOHN ELLISThat may be the opinion of the Treasury, but can the right hon. Gentleman quote any precedent for that?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! This is really becoming a debate.
§ MR. JOHN ELLISIt is a very important constitutional matter. [Cries of "Order!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERIt may be a very important constitutional matter, but it does not arise out of this Question.