HC Deb 25 March 1872 vol 210 c598
MR. GRIEVE

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he will be good enough to inform the House, whether he will accede to the request of the Sugar Refiners of London, Greenock, Liverpool, Bristol, Plymouth, and Manchester, and invite the Governments of France, Holland, and Belgium to a Conference, in order to a revision of the International Convention of 1864, these Governments having signified their willingness to meet, if asked by Great Britain?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

The Question, Sir, assumes that the Governments mentioned have signified their willingness to meet. That is obviously a point of great importance in connection with the subject, and until it is cleared up one way or another, it would not, I think, be advisable that I should answer the Question.