MR. GRIFFITHI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Treaty and Convention, both dated 9th December, 1856, between Her Majesty and the Sultan of Morocco, mentioned in the letter from the Mr. Hawksley in the Times of the 8th inst., are in force; and, if so, what is meant by the warning issued by the Foreign Office, as mentioned in the Times of the 4th inst., that no trading or other operations can be undertaken in the dominions of the Sultan of Morocco without the consent of the Sultan having been previously obtained?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe provisions of the Treaty and Convention are subject to the restrictions which are imposed on other foreigners. There is a general restriction in trade with the tribes on the north-west coast beyond Mogador, where no recognised port of entry exists, and the notice applies to that part of the coast. Where there is a general permission for trade special consent is, of course, not necessary. The notice unfortunately did not mention an eastern limit, but the intention is sufficiently clear.
MR. GRIFFITHMay I ask whether the restriction laid on our trade in accordance with the warning is laid on the trade of other nations?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI conceive that is so. It is perfectly in accordance with the spirit of the Convention. Special inquiries will be made on the matter. If the honourable Member will put down a Question tomorrow I will endeavour to answer it.