§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the protective character of the Aliens Bill, and to his pledge that nothing should be done to advance the policy of protection during the present Parliament, he intends to proceed with the further stages of the Bill.
§ MR. CHARLES McARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)Before the Question is answered, I desire to call the attention of the First Lord of the Treasury to its terms, and to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any ground for the statement that the Aliens Bill has been declared to be of a protective character, and whether such a declaration has been made by the Government or by any 1486 person authorised to speak on behalf of the Government.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI do not know whether it will be necessary to answer the Question of my hon. friend behind me. It is sufficient to say I do not consider that the exclusion of lunatics and other undesirable aliens is a branch of the fiscal question.
§ MR. LOUGHDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think the Member for West Birmingham is authorised to declare what the nature of his own policy is, and. has he noticed the declaration of the Chief Secretary for Ireland, who is a member of the Cabinet, that the Aliens Bill will put an end to a condition of things which displaces British labour.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe reasons why I desire to proceed with the measure were fully stated by me on the Second Reading. I do not think it is necessary for me in an Answer across the floor of the House to add anything to that statement.
§ MR. LOUGHBut is the right hon. Gentleman not responsible for the declaration of a member of his own Cabinet?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIf the hon. Member will put that down on the Paper I will answer it to-morrow.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)Is the right hon. Gentleman responsible for anything?