§ *SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the case of the modus vivendi of 1890, on which it was stated by His Majesty's Government that the Government of Newfoundland were consulted, it being modified to meet their views, though not assented to by the Colony, Sir Baldwin Walker was successfully sued for damages which were afterwards paid by the British taxpayer: and whether, having regard to the two judgments in the Baird case, the provisions of a Newfoundland Act can be overridden by Imperial administrative arrangements not based on statute.
§ THE UNDER - SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL, Manchester, N.W.)I am aware of the legal proceedings against the late Sir Baldwin Walker to which the right hon. Member refers and of their result; but I am unable, in answer 739 to a Question, to discuss their bearing upon the present situation.