§ MR. LOUGHI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the general expressions of opinion in the House, he can see his way to reconsider his decision, and revert to the 430 former practice of permitting Members who have been successful in the ballot of bring on their Motions before Ministers explain the Estimates on going into Committee of Supply.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot concur in the statement of fact or the conclusion drawn by the hon. Member in his Question. I do not admit that the general expression of opinion in the House is as indicated. It seems to me that it is really an unbusinesslike plan for the House to discuss a policy or the details of a policy before they know what that policy is.
§ MR. LOUGHBut as this is an immemorial ancient privilege of private Members, will not the First Lord leave it to the judgment of the House?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt cannot be a privilege of hon. Members to discuss a thing with which they are imperfectly acquainted.
In reply to a further Question by Mr. GIBSON BOWLES, Mr. A. J. BALFOUR said hon. Members could better by far discuss the Estimates when they knew the policy of the Government, and therefore the course he proposed was one dictated by sound reason.