§ MR. SOARESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government is bound by, and intends to act 359 upon, the solemn declaration of this House, made on 4th April this year, to the effect that "any Colonial Conference which was entered upon, except on the understanding that this country would not agree to the taxation of corn, meat, and dairy produce, would result in failure."
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe solemn declaration of which then hon. Gentleman speaks appears to be in the nature of a prophecy. I do not think the Government can be bound by any prophecy in which this House chooses to indulge.
§ MR. SOARESMy Question arises out of a declaration which appears on the books of the House. It is a Resolution passed by the House on April 4th.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes; but that is a prophecy; it is a statement that a certain course will result in failure. I do not see how the Government can be bound by a prophecy.
§ MR. SOARESDo I understand that the Prime Minister is not bound by the deliberate opinion of this House?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURCertainly, I do not think that I, or any sane man, can be bound, least of all the House itself, by any forecast of the future in which it may indulge.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGE (Carnarvon Boroughs)Are we to understand that if the House of Commons expresses its opinion that a certain course of action if taken by the Government would result in failure, the Government is not bound by an expression of opinion of that kind before it takes action?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not think the Government is in the least bound beyond the length I have stated.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLIs the opinion of this House worth anything at all?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURSometimes, not always.
§ Mr.Soares.