§ MR. BIRLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can give any information to the House regarding the negotiations now in progress with the French Government for a renewal or modification of the Commercial Treaty?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, as soon as the progress of the General Tariff Bill in the Senate showed that the time was approaching at which the French Government had indicated that negotiations might be begun, Her Majesty's Government addressed to them a pressing representation as to the importance of proceeding without delay, and of making sure that the new Treaty would be concluded before the former Treaties expired. The French Government expressed, in reply, their readiness to open negotiations as soon as the General Tariff Bill had passed the Senate. We 1652 have not only asked the French Government to prolong the existing Treaties for a period sufficient to cover the negotiations, but have also asked them to send a competent person at once to London to discuss with Her Majesty's Government certain details which the French Ambassador cannot be expected himself to explain.