HC Deb 09 April 1804 vol 22 cc1574-5
SIR G. BADEN-POWELL (Liverpool, Kirkdale)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state whether the Government of the Dominion of Canada have agreed in full detail to the Behring Sea Award Bill; or whether any, and if so which, points still need consideration?

SIR A. ROLLIT (Islington, S.)

Before the hon. Gentleman answers the question I should like to ask him if there is any difference between the Bill now before the House and the Bill of and Agreement with the United States Government, as has been alleged?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplar

The expected Despatch from Canada, to which I referred on Thursday, has not vet arrived. We have no reason to suppose that it is likely to affect the principle of the Bill, and if Amendments may eventually be found to be necessary they can be introduced at a later stage.

SIR G. BADEN-POWELL

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can present to the House the text of the Behring Sea Award Bill which has now passed the Legislature of the United States?

* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, Berwick

We received the original text of the United States British Sea Award Bill, and the various Amendments made in it have been communicated separately by telegraph. As soon as the complete text of the Bill as passed is received it will be presented.

SIR G. BADEN-POWELL

May I ask my hon. Friend if he can give any explanation of the very serious report in The Times of to-day of the language used in the United States Senate concerning the Bill before this House, it being described as an evasion of the Arbitration Treaty?

* SIR E. GREY

I think it will be more convenient if the Attorney General is permitted to explain the matter when the Bill gets into Committee.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN (Birmingham, W.)

I should like to ask what arrangements the Government propose to make in order that this very important question may be discussed this evening. What security has the House that the Bill will be taken this evening?

* SIR E. GREY

I do not think that the question as to the disposal of the time of the House is one that I can reply to.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

Then I beg to ask the Attorney General whether he will explain the statement which has appeared in the newspapers as to the existence of a serious difference between the United States Government and our own with regard to this Bill?

* THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir C. RUSSELL,) Hackney, S.

There is no serious difference, and the statement to this effect is exaggerated. There is a variance between the two Bills, and I will take the opportunity of explaining the matter fully when the Bill gets into Committee this evening.

MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N)

What time shall we go into Committee? Do the Government propose to adjourn the Estimates in order to give us time to discuss this important question?

[No answer was given.]