HC Deb 06 May 1907 vol 173 cc1358-60
CAPTAIN CRAIG

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether the verbatim report of the speech recently delivered by the Honourable Alfred Deakin, Prime Minister of Australia, at the Conference of Colonial Premiers, on the subject of Colonial preference was withhold from the Press with the hon. Gentleman's sanction; and whether, in view of the importance of this particular message from the Commonwealth of Australia to the Mother Country, he will respectfully beg the hon. Gentleman's permission to have it handed in full to the Press.

VISCOUNT TURNOUR

At the same time may I ask the Prime Minister whether the verbatim reports of the speeches of the Imperial delegates to the Colonial Conference on the preference resolutions will be laid upon the Table of the House before the Conference rises.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The Conference has not finally determined the question of the publication of the whole of its proceedings which was reserved when it resolved to issue a pr Écis of each day's proceedings. With regard to the discussion, on the preference resolutions publication has been proposed, but at the last meeting of the Conference it was resolved that the debate on this subject must first be concluded. I cannot say whether it will be possible to publish before the Conference rises.

MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)

Who is responsible for preparing the pr Écis, and is the prÉcis, when prepared, submitted for the approval of the Conference before it is issued to the Press?

SIR H. CAMPBELL BANNERMAN

I cannot answer the Question. I have no doubt there are competent people who make the prÉcis—persons selected by the Colonial Office; and as to the submission to the members of the Conference, I should have thought that would cause delay. But if the hon. Member puts the Question down I will obtain such Answer as I can.

VISCOUNT TURNOUR

asked whether the Colonial Office or the Conference was responsible for the prÉcis, and also who was responsible for the publication almost in full detail of the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the preference resolution, and the publication of a by no means verbatim report of the speeches of the other members.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I do not know that the facts are as stated by the noble Lord. If he puts that Question on the Paper I will get, as I have said, such Answer as I can from the Conference.

MR. PIKE PEASE

Are the figures given in the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer official figures?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.

Yes, Sir, they are. They are perfectly accurate in every particular.

CAPTAIN CRAIG

asked the Prime Minister whether, in response to a largely expressed desire, a special exception could not be made of this particular speech and a full report given to the public?

MR. ASQUITH

Does the hon. Member refer to my speech.?

CAPTAIN CRAIG

No; I was referring to the speech of Mr. Deakin.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The hon. Member speaks of a general desire. I do not know, but I can ascertain. The whole thing is being done perfectly in order under the direction and instruction and with the full knowledge of the Conference.

MR. REMNANT (Finsbury, Holburn)

Did the Chancellor of the Exchequer take his figures from the Blue-book as published?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order. That does not arise out of the original Question.