§ MR. HANBURYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What instructions are issued to Her Majesty's representatives Abroad with reference to furnishing immediate Reports on the frequent changes in Foreign Custom House regulations and judicial decisions affecting matters of quarantine and tariff; upon what principle notices of such new regulations or decisions are published, or not published, in The Gazette; and, whether the Government will take steps to secure to the public fuller and more regular information on such subjects by circulating all such Reports without delay among the various Chambers of Commerce?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BRYCE)The instructions to Her Majesty's Representatives abroad on the subject referred to by the hon. Member are to transmit at once to the Foreign Office all announcements respecting these matters. The Foreign Office forwards these documents as soon as they are received to the Board of Trade, and that Department takes such steps as seem necessary in each instance to make the announcements known to the public and to persons interested. I have no doubt that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will give his best attention to any representations which may be made to him with a view to give greater publicity to these Reports. And I may add that Her Majesty's Government, very shortly after their accession to Office, gave directions that the whole subject of obtaining and making known information received from Her Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Agents abroad should be inquired into with a view to its being turned to the best account and published at the earliest possible moment.