HC Deb 01 April 1890 vol 343 cc396-7
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have formally invited the attendance of delegates from Newfoundland to discuss the Fishery Question; and, if not, whether the Government will cable such an invitation to Newfoundland, in view of the great excitement in that Colony?

DR. TANNER

I have received a cablegram from Newfoundland upon this subject, and I think it would save both time and trouble to the House and the right hon. Gentleman if I tell him the effect of it.

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order ! The hon. Member is not asking a question.

*THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR. FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.

Her Majesty's Government have formally and repeatedly invited the attendance of the Premier of Newfoundland to discuss this question, and have no doubt that he will come to England as soon as the state of Parliamentary business in the Colony permits. They do not think it desirable to telegraph anything further at present. They will, of course, be glad to receive other delegates also if the Colony so desires, but they do not think they should propose it. May I take this opportunity of correcting an error in a report which I have seen of my answer upon this subject yesterday? I am made to say that the modus vivendi with France had not received the assent of "Newfoundland in its original form." What I said was "in its final form," as is obvious from the context.

DR. TANNER

Has the consent of the Legislature of Newfoundland been obtained to the modus vivendi arranged between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of France, in reference to the lobster canning industry on the west coast of Newfoundland; and has any attempt been made to obtain the consent of the Legislature before the fishing season opens?

*SIR J. FERGUSSON

I have repeatedly answered the first part of the hon. Member's question, namely, that no despatch has yet been received from Newfoundland, giving the consent of the Legislature to a modus vivendi for arranging the difficulty. So far as the last question of the hon. Member is concerned it is surely one for the Government of Newfoundland.