HC Deb 08 June 1904 vol 135 cc1080-1
MR. LOUGH

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a long Paper issued by the Home Office respecting the rules and regulations to be made under the Penal Servitude Bill appeared in The Times of to-day, and that it has not yet been placed in the hands of Members and cannot be obtained in the Vote Office, and whether in the circumstances he will proceed with the Bill to-day.

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer the Question. I saw what purport to be the rules and regulations in the paper this morning. They were not published by my authority, and I am astonished they should have appeared. I promised that these rules should be published before the Committee stage on the Bill was taken, and I will see that that promise is adhered to.

MR. LOUGH

I should like to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiry as to how this got out, and take some action. Surely the Government will not persist in going on with the order in the circumstances? There is a great question of principle involved, which may affect the judgment of the House.

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I really do not follow the hon. Gentleman's argument. The promise given in the House the other day was that the rules should be published before the discussion was taken in Grand Committee. I do not see how what has happened can affect the Motion for committal to the Grand Committee. I regret the incident, because I think that the House of Commons should have all Papers first. I do not see any reason why we should not proceed with the reference to the Grand Committee.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The right hon. Gentleman said he was astonished to find that these new regulations were in the paper. I hope he will not stop at astonishment, but will take some steps to punish those who have committed this offence and to prevent the recurrence of it. We have had so many cases like it.

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I must first make inquiry to see how they got there.

CAPTAIN NORTON

Are these the actual rules?

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I have not yet had time to compare them.