§ MR. WAITasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that the Government of Holland have declared their inability to accept the provisions of the Draft Convention of March 1877 on the Sugar Question, and their regret that they can find no basis for an International arrangement?
§ MR. BOURKESir, the Netherlands Government have declared their inability to carry out the draft Convention of last year, on the ground that they find it impossible to overcome the opposition of the Second Chamber of the Netherlands Legislature to refining in bond. Under the circumstances Her Majesty's Government are in communication with the Governments of France and Holland as to the course which it will be expedient to pursue.