HL Deb 28 February 1894 vol 21 cc1127-8
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWN

asked whether any reply had been received from the House of Commons in answer to the Message sent by this House on 28th November last, with reference to the question of "betterment"; and, if not, if Her Majesty's Government could give any information on the subject to the House? Their Lordships would recollect that on the 28th of November last a Message was sent from that House to the House of Commons asking the Commons to join in the appointment of a Committee to consider this subject. From an answer given in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister he had gathered that the Government were not favourable to such a course. He wished, however, to have some definite statement as to the Government's intentions, as the Session was now coming to an end, and it was desirable that their Lordships should re- cover their liberty of action; while, at the same time, it was undesirable to do anything which might appear in any way discourteous to the House of Commons.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

said, he was rather surprised the noble Earl was without the information he desired, because the answer given by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons was perfectly clear and explicit and could not have been misunderstood by anyone. With reference to the Message proposing a Joint Committee, the statement made by the Head of the Government was— We do not intend to make, we do not intend to concur in, any such proposal. He could not give the noble Earl any further information.

THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWN

said, the noble Earl was perhaps not aware that the answer referred to by him was given in the House of Commons before their Lordships' Message reached that Assembly. No subsequent answer had been given.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

said, that it was usual for one House of Parliament to communicate directly with the other House and not by what reporters may hear a Minister say, but he supposed that in this matter the other course was adopted by the Prime Minister for the purpose of showing as much discourtesy as was in his power to their Lordships' House. Probably the right hon. Gentleman was tired of that policy by this time.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

said, the answer he had given was such as was required by the question put, whether any information could be given as to the course of the Government. The information he had given to the noble Earl was the information given by his right hon. Friend in reply to a question in the House of Commons. He entirely disclaimed on the part of Mr. Gladstone the motives imputed to him by the noble Marquess. His own feeling was that the proposal for a Joint Committee was one of a futile nature, and he was therefore not at all surprised that no answer had been given.

House adjourned at a quarter past Six o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter past Ten o'clock.