HC Deb 20 June 1889 vol 337 cc309-10
MR. CHANNING

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States Government have submitted to Her Majesty's Government the programme of subjects proposed to be discussed at the Maritime Conference to be held in October; and, if so, whether he will state to the House what those subjects are, and what limits, if any, are laid down in the terms of Reference?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

The programme of subjects to be discussed at the Conference has been submitted to Her Majesty's Government, who are now considering it. It is not desirable to state what the proposed subjects are until an agreement has been come to respecting them between the Powers who may accept the invitation of the United States Government to take part in the Conference. But Her Majesty's Government desire to narrow the issues for discussion, and only to take up such questions as, in their opinion, are likely to be considered practically.

MR. CHANNING

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the time at which the programme of subjects will probably be made known?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

At present we are in the initiatory stage. We only recently received the programme, and it must be the subject of consideration and correspondence and possibly of discussion. I am unable to state now what course Her Majesty's Government will take in regard to it, except as far as I have indicated.

MR. CHANNING

May I ask whether the programme of subjects will be made public in sufficient time for the various Mercantile Marine Associations and Shipping Associations to lay their views before the Board of Trade?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

I will take care that the question raised by the hon. Member is considered. I cannot say more now.