Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will state what Bills have been passed by the Legislature of British Columbia which have been reserved or vetoed by the Dominion Government; (2) if he will grant a Return of the Bills passed by the provincial Legislatures of the Dominion of Canada, by the State assemblies or legislatures of the Commonwealth of Australia, and by the provincial Governments of the Union of South Africa, which have been vetoed or reserved; and of the Bills passed by the House of Commons of the Dominion of Canada, by the Parliament of Newfoundland, and by the Parliament of the Australian Commonwealth, which have been reserved or vetoed since the year 1867?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)I will answer this and the next question together. Information from 1867 to 1906 in respect of the legislation of the Australian States, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of Canada, and Newfoundland is contained in three Returns already laid before Parliament—House of Lords Return 196 of 1894, House of Commons Return 362 of 1901, and House of Commons Return 184 of 1906. I am prepared to take steps to present the further particulars bringing these Returns up to date. With regard to Bills passed by the provincial Legislatures of the Dominion of Canada and by the provincial Governments of the Union of South Africa, disallowance belongs to the Dominion and Union Governments respectively, and it will be necessary for me to ask those Governments for the information regarding such Bills, which will cover the statement asked for in the hon. Member's further question relating to Bills passed by the Legislature of British Columbia. This I am ready to do. It would be convenient, however, to include the information relating to this second branch of the subject when obtained, in a separate Return.
§ Mr. HARCOURTYes.