§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if it is a fact that the self-governing Colonies are now entirely free to enter into preferential fiscal arrangements with each other, and even against the United Kingdom, while the Mother Country is prevented by Treaties with Foreign Powers from negotiating any special commercial understanding with the Colonies; and, in such case, if the Colonial Office will urge the Board of Trade so to extend the Reference to the Departmental Committee now considering the Treaties of Commerce, that inquiry may be made as to the effect of such limitations upon the development of inter-Imperial trade?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Baron H. de WORMS, Liverpool, East Toxteth)I understand that the first part of my hon. Friend's question was discussed before the Trade and Treaties Committee on Friday last by deputations from the Agents General for the Colonies and the Imperial Federation League, including my hon. Friend; and, in these circumstances, the Secretary of State thinks it would hardly be courteous to the Committee to express at present any opinion on the matter, or to suggest that the Reference to the Committee should at this stage be extended. It is understood that the Report of the Committee may shortly be expected.