§ MR. HALDANE (Haddingtonshire)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the importance of the Colonial Conferences and the desirability of making better provision for their continuity and efficiency, he will afford an opportunity for discussion of the matter before the close of the session.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)The Government have for a long time past had under consideration methods—to use the words of the Question—for increasing the "continuity and efficiency" of these Colonial Conferences, and have been communicating with the Colonial Governments on the subject. I may, perhaps, be allowed to express my gratification at the interest which the right hon. Gentleman takes in the subject. I have lately been censured for allowing a conference to meet.