§ SIR GEORGE JENKINSONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If it is true, as stated in the "Fall Mall Gazette" of the 20th instant—
That a telegram from Ottawa says that a correspondence laid before Parliament shows that the Imperial Government had agreed to guarantee a Canadian Loan of two and a half million pounds for the Pacific Railway and Canal Improvements, on condition that Canada accepts the Treaty;and, further, if the Washington Treaty falls to the ground, whether this alleged conditional guarantee to Canada would still be proposed to be made by the Imperial Government?
MR. GLADSTONEIt is true, Sir, that Her Majesty's Government have agreed to guarantee a Canadian Loan of £2,500,000 for certain improvements in Canada. It is also true that the guarantee is connected with the proceedings under the Washington Treaty; but the statement which the hon. Gentleman has quoted does not give a full, or, as it stands, a just idea of the nature of the transactions on the part of Her Majesty's Government. The truth of the matter is, that the Despatch in which the views of the Government are contained has for some time been prepared in order to be presented to both Houses of Parliament; but the reply of the Canadian Government has not yet been received by post, 1935 although we have received a statement by telegraph that the offer has been accepted. The reply by post cannot be delayed for more than a few days longer, and perhaps the House would rather see the reply in extenso than a mere telegraphed reply which is always, by reason of its brevity, subject to misapprehension.
§ SIR GEORGE JENKINSONWill the whole correspondence on the subject be laid before Parliament?
§ MR. DISRAELIThen this Loan is made on condition that the Treaty will be accepted by the Canadian Government?
MR. GLADSTONEI would rather that the right hon. Gentleman should see the statement complete as conveyed by post. The transaction is connected with the proceedings under the Treaty of Washington; but were I to answer the Question either with a simple negative or an affirmative, it would not convey a correct view to the mind of the House.
§ MR. DISRAELIUnder the circumstances, the statement of the right hon. Gentleman being of so extraordinary a character and the credit of this country being involved to so great an extent, I think it would be becoming in the Government at once to make a declaration to the House, in order that the anxiety which naturally pervades the public mind may be at once met.
MR. GLADSTONEI do not know that there would be any objection to our Despatch, with the answer, being laid before Parliament. I will consult my noble Friend the Secretary for the Colonies upon the subject, and be prepared to answer the Question to-morrow.
§ SIR GEORGE JENKINSONThe latter part of my Question has not been answered. I desire to know whether, if the Washington Treaty fell to the ground, this alleged conditional guarantee to Canada would still be proposed to be made by the Imperial Government?
§ MR. DISRAELII assume, Sir, that the Government are not in possession of the answer of the Government of the United States, so anxiously expected; but in the present state of public feeling 1936 I think it is becoming that there should be an authoritative announcement to that effect. I therefore desire to know whether Her Majesty's Government have received the reply; and, if not, whether they can say if it has or has not been received by the American Minister in this country?
MR. GLADSTONEUp to the latest hour at which I could receive information before the sitting of the House the answer had not been received by the American Minister, who, however, stated that he may perhaps receive it in the course of the evening, though he cannot be quite certain upon that point. I apprehend, therefore, that there has been some error in the information conveyed to the public in reference to the alleged arrival of the reply.