§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Minister in charge of the Aliens Bill took steps in the Grand Committee that day which practically amounted to its abandonment.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have been informed that a Resolution was passed that in consequence, as I understand it, of the extraordinary prolongation of the proceedings in that Committee—
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)No such Resolution was passed.
§ MR. WALLACE (Perth)It was withdrawn absolutely by the Minister.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI was asked the Question without notice, and I attempted to answer it with such information as I had. If that information is disputed, hon. Gentlemen had better put down a Question.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANDoes not the Minister in charge of the Bill act on the instructions of the Government?
§ Mr. A. J. BALFOURThe Minister in charge of the Bill is a member of the Cabinet, but so far as I know he acted in this respect as a member of Committee. But, again, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put a Question down.
§ MR. BLAKE (Longford, S.)I am sure: the right hon. Gentleman on consideration will see that at the earliest moment practicable, at this period of the session, the House should be informed what the position of the Aliens Bill is.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! It is three o'clock.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI desire to ask, Sir, whether the Chairman of the Aliens Bill Committee has not reported to the House.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!