HC Deb 16 June 1898 vol 59 cc409-10
SIR JOHN COLOMB (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Agreement between the Mother Country and the Australasian Colonies respecting the maintenance of the squadron in Australasian waters for the protection of Australasian trade has been renewed; and if so, when was the Agreement completed and signed, and for what period is it to continue?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. G. J. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

The following is the article in the Agreement of 1887 with reference to the duration of the Agreement— The Agreement shall be for a period of ten years, and only terminate if and provided notice has been given two years previously—viz., at the end of the eighth year, or at the end of any subsequent year, and then two years after such date. No notice to terminate the Agreement has been given on either side.