HC Deb 22 February 1895 vol 30 cc1418-9
MR. W. F. LAWRENCE

On behalf of the Member for the Central Division of Sheffield (Colonel C. E. Howard Vincent), I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the promised consideration has yet resulted in notice being given to Belgium and to Germany to terminate the clause in the British Treaty of Commerce precluding British Colonies from giving better terms to British goods than to foreign goods, in accordance with the recommendations of the Ottawa Conference and of Her Majesty's Imperial Commissioner; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay?

THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, Berwick

I understand that the question of Intercolonial Trade is, as stated the other day, under consideration. Her Majesty's Government have no Treaty right to give notice for the termination of special clauses mentioned in the question separately—without the abrogation of the entire Treaties of which they form part; and therefore no such notice has been given.