MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the convention between Great Britain, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russian, Spain, and Turkey, which was signed at Constantinople on 29th October, 1888, and the ratifications whereof were deposited at Constantinople on 22nd December, 1888, and whereof the first article declares that the Suez Canal shall always be free and open in time of war as in time of peace to every vessel of commerce or of war without distinction of flag is still in existence and in operation; and, if not, whether he can say when and under what circumstances that convention ceased to exist or to operate?
MR. CURZONThe convention in question is certainly in existence, but, as I informed the honourable Member in reply to a question some days ago, has not been brought into practical operation. This is owing to the reserves made on behalf of Her Majesty's Government by the British delegates at the Suez Canal Commission in 1885, which were renewed by Lord Salisbury, and communicated to the Powers in 1887. They will be found at page 292 of the Parliamentary Paper, Egypt, No. 19, 1885.
MR. CURZONI do not express any definite opinion as to the word "override," but they are no doubt responsible for the fact, as I have already twice stated, that the terms of the convention have not been brought into practical operation.