§ MR. DISRAELI (Cheshire, Altrincham)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury why the Trade and Treaties Committee has not been reappointed; and whether, if it has been decided to reappoint the Committee, he will see fit to arrange the appointment as soon as possible?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideThe Trade and Treaties Committee, having completed its inquiry and reported to the Board of Trade, was dissolved by my Predecessor. It was appointed in consequence of the approaching expiry of a group of Continental Treaties. Should occasion arise the reappointment of a like Committee will, no doubt, be carefully considered.
§ MR. DISRAELIAs I understand, there is a certain amount of friction between the Foreign Office and the Board of Trade.
§ MR. MUNDELLANo, Sir; not at all.
§ MR. DISRAELIIs the President of the Board of Trade not aware that there is widespread anxiety among traders, especially in the North, that the Committee should be reappointed, and not only so, but should be reappointed as a permanent institution, and are the 1043 members of the late Committee among those who are very anxious for such reappointment?
§ MR. MUNDELLAI was Chairman of the late Committee, and know something of the feeling of its members. I am bound to say, therefore, that there was not a general expression of opinion among them in favour of the reappointment of the Committee, and, for my own part, I cannot see what such a Committee would now have to do. The occasion for the sitting of the Committee has passed away; the Committee discharged its functions, and there is no further need for its services.
§ MR. DISRAELIIs there not work for such a Committee in dealing with our commercial relations with Spain, France, and Portugal?
§ MR. MUNDELLANo, Sir; the revision of the Treaties was completed in the time of the late Government, and my Predecessor dissolved the Committee on the receipt of the completed Report. There is nothing further to be done.