§ MR. KNOXI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office has received a copy of the new commercial Treaty between Germany and the Orange Free State; what are the terms of the clause under which the contracting Powers reserve the favours granted by one party to a neighbour for better intercourse at the frontier or under a Customs union; and whether a similar reservation will be made to the most-favoured-nation clause in all future British commercial treaties?
MR. CURZONYes, sir, we have received a copy of the Treaty in question. The clause referred to in the second paragraph is very long, and I cannot well read it out in reply to a question. But I shall be happy to give the honourable Member a translation of it if he desires. Her Majesty's Government could not give any such general assurance as is asked for in the concluding question. Each case must be dealt with on its merits as it arises.