HC Deb 12 April 1904 vol 133 cc25-6
Sir. H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

Has the Leader of the House anything to say as to business. What Supply will be taken on Thursday?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

As regards Thursday next we shall take the Army Estimates, and I think the Vote for the War Office will be first as the most convenient course. In regard to the business generally, the House is aware that during the recess there has been action in Tibet which in our opinion, makes it necessary, in accordance with the Statute, to ask the House to sanction the employment of Indian troops beyond the Indian frontier. I do not think that any delay should take place in discussing that question, and I shall propose that my right hon. friend the Secretary for India should put it down for to-morrow. This will render necessary the postponement of the introduction of the Licensing Bill, but I shall take the first available day for it introduction next week. As the House is aware Monday is pledged to the Irish Members opposite, who have an Amendment to the Motion "That the Speaker leave the Chair." I am bound to adhere to that pledge, though I should prefer to introduce the Licensing Bill on Monday. The Budget will be taken on Tuesday.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Is it not the usual practice to delay taking the War Office Vote till later in the session, so as to enable us, so to speak, to pick up dropped stitches. And can the right hon. Gentleman give us the terms of the Resolution on Tibet?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The terms of the Resolution in reference to Tibet are practically settled by the statute. It simply asks the House to give the sanction required by statutory enactment. As to the War Office Vote, I will take the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion into careful consideration, and the House shall have our decision in the course of the afternoon.

MR. JOHN REDMOND (Waterford)

said that any alteration of the day for the Irish Motion, now down for Monday, would be impossible from the point of view of his hon. friends, and he must ask the Leader of the House to adhere to the arrangement.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cornwall, Camborne)

In view of the great interest excited by the intimation that the Licensing Bill would be introduced tomorrow, and the arrangements which have been made in consequence, up and down the country, would it not be possible to bring in the Bill after the Tibet debate to-morrow?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Does the hon. Baronet wish it to be brought in without debate?

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

Oh no.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Members of this House have not yet received the text of the Convention with France, although it has been issued to the French electorate?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The Government have had nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with the publication in the newspapers of the French text of the Agreement between this country and France. The English text has not been published, but both texts will be in the Note Office in the course of the sitting, and I hope in the hands of Members tomorrow.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Will any Papers be laid giving the House further information as to the policy of the Government in regard to Tibet?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

I have ordered Papers to be prepared with reference to Tibet; but no despatch of any importance has been sent to Lord Curzon since the publication of the ample volume of Papers already issued, and which include the despatch of (5th November, authorising the advance.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

Are we at war with Tibet or are we not? I see the Viceroy speaks of "the enemy."