§ MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N)I wish to ask the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs a question of which I have given him private notice. It is whether the attention of the Government has been called to the cablegram received by my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland with reference to the Newfoundland Fishery Question, in which it is alleged that the Government of Newfoundland deny having consented to the modus vivendi between Her Majesty's Government and France, alleging that it had been only partially submitted to Newfoundland? Is it true that the Government of Newfoundland did not consent to the modus vivendi at present existing, and is it true that the despatches were only partially submitted to Newfoundland?
§ *(4.41.) SIR J. FERGUSSONWith regard to the questions now put by the hon. Member, I answered similar questions last week. I may state that the modus vivendi was submitted with a view to meeting, as far as possible, the views of the Government of Newfoundland. In its original form it was not consented to by the Government of Newfoundland, but a full explanation of the whole case has been sent to the 306 Government of Newfoundland, and the objection which has been expressed to it is, I think, founded on a misapprehension. I think it would be much better to wait until the Government of Newfoundland is in full possession of the facts of the case.
§ MR. W. REDMONDConsidering the extremely excited condition of public opinion in Newfoundland over this matter, do not Her Majesty's Government consider it vital to cable out the full text of the arrangement come to with France; and do the Government intend to invite representatives of Newfoundland to this country?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONHer Majesty's Government have expressed their desire that representatives from Newfoundland should come over to this country for the purpose of consultation, but I am not authorised to make any further communication.
§ MR. W. REDMONDIn consequence of the reply I have received I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this subject on the Vote for the Foreign Office.