§ MR. PICTON (Leicester)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of the following countries—numely, the United States, France, Brazil, Austria, and Belgium—have, since the signing of the Sugar Bounties Convention, signified their intention of abandoning their several attitudes of indifference or reserve, or of adhering to the Convention unconditionally; and, if he can state how many, and which countries have given their final adhesion to the Convention so as to be now committed to it unreservedly, subject only to formal ratification?
§ *SIR JAMES FERGUSSONAustria and Belgium have announced their intention to take part in the Commission to consider the laws in connection with the Convention of August 30, 1888, which, in pursuance of the declaration of that date, will meet on the 1st of May next. The Powers signatory to the Convention are proceeding with the measures necessary to give effect to it. Information with respect to the final attitude of Powers which did not sign the Convention on the 30th of August cannot yet be given.