§ MR. BIRKBECKasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the invitations for the International Conference at the Hague, relative to the floating drink-shops in the North Sea, have been issued by the Netherlands Government; and, if not, what has been the cause of the delay?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe Netherlands Government suggested that the Conference referred to by the hon. Member should meet this month; but the German Government asked that the meeting should be put off until the case of the Diedrich had been fully investigated, and the proceedings which it might be in the power of Her Majesty's Government to take against the British fishermen concerned in the attack on that vessel had been concluded. Under these circumstances, it is probable that the Conference will not meet before next spring.