HL Deb 24 October 1918 vol 31 cc877-8

Brought from the Commons; read 1a, and to be printed.

material, vital, to the consideration of this whole subject; nor do we know the condition of opinion, of adverse opinion, on the Report, for we have never seen that, or heard it, except such as has been volunteered by various persons, notably by Sir John Hewett, to which the noble Earl referred.

I promised not to make a speech, and I do not propose to do so. In all the circumstances we feel that we have no course open to us but to persist in the Motion that we have made. We intend by that merely to indicate that in this matter of vital importance—this experiment which may be most disastrous to India—at any rate so far as your Lordships' House is concerned, we are determined, to give it every consideration to the fullest extent in our power before Parliament and the country are committed even to what may be called the Second Reading of the Report, which is involved in laying it on the Table.

On Question, That the Motion be agreed to—

Their Lordships divided:—ContentS, 21; Not-Contents, 25.

CONTENTS.
Lansdowne, M. Avebury, L. Hare, L. (E. Listowel.)
Salisbury, M. Balfour, L. Harris, L.
Halsbury, E. Brodrick, L. (V. Midleton.) [Teller.] Monteagle, L. (M. Sligo.)
Selborne, E. [Teller.] Redesdale, L.
Cheylesmore, L. Sandys, L.
Falkland, V. Clifford of Chudleigh, L. Sumner, L.
Crawshaw, L. Sydenham, L.
Atkinson, L. Fairfax of Cameron, L. Willoughby de Broke, L.
NOT-CONTENTS.
Finlay, L. (L. Chancellor.) Lytton, E. Clinton, L.
Curzon of Kedleston, E. (L. President.) Portsmouth, E. Colebrooke, L.
Stanhope, E. Hylton, L. [Teller]
Wigan, L. (E. Crawford.) (L. Privy Seal.) Islington, L.
Farquhar, V (L. Steward.) Muir Mackenzie, L.
Crewe, M. Sandhurst, V. (L. Chamberlain.) Newton, L.
Hutchinson, V. (E. Donoughmore.) Ranksborough, L.
Eldon, E. Peel, V. Somerleyton, L. [Teller.]
Howe, E. Swaythling, L.
Lucan, E. Carmichael, L. Terrington, L.

Resolved in the negative, and Motion disagreed to accordingly.

[From Minutes of October 23.]