*THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYMy Lords, I wish to ask the noble Marquess opposite a question of which I have given him private notice, namely: What reply, if any, has been sent by the Government to the request of the Newfoundland Legislature that sufficient time should be given to that Legislature to send over a deputation from that country for the purpose of representing their views upon the subject of the Newfoundland Commission Bill?
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY)My Lords, the idea that we intended to hurry the Bill forward was obviously absurd. We should not have brought it in the day before the Recess if we had intended to do that. The Recess, which in this House, will last a considerable time, will furnish ample time for any representations which the Newfoundland Legislature may wish to make, and which we shall be very glad to consider thoroughly. We have informed them that the Bill will not come on in this House for Second Reading before the 15th of April, and could not possibly reach the House of Commons for Second Reading before the 23rd or 24th of April. There will, therefore, be the fullest time for consideration.