§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the secret Commission now sitting at Brussels is the Permanent Commission provided for under Article 7 of the Sugar Convention; if so, who is the English delegate; whether it is authorised to name the sugar exporting countries, outside those which have approved of the Convention, against which the ports in this country are to be closed under the Sugar Convention Bill; if so, whether, before any decision is reached in their case, due notice will be given to these countries and whether they will have an opportunity of appearing by counsel, or otherwise, before the Commission; and, if not, whether Great Britain will be obliged to put in force the decisions at which this secret Commission may arrive.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANBORNE,) RochesterThe Commission now sitting at Brussels is the permanent Commission provided for under Article 7 of the Brussels Sugar Convention. The British delegate is Sir Henry Bergne, K.C.M.G., and he is accompanied by four assistant delegates. The answer to the third Question is in the affirmative. The decisions of the Commission will no doubt be announced without unnecessary delay, but, subject to the terms of the Convention, their procedure is a matter for the determination of the Commission itself. With regard to the last Question, Great Britain is of course bound by the terms of the Convention.
§ MR. LOUGHWill any opportunity be given to any country against which proceedings are to be taken to be heard?
§ LORD CRANBORNEThat is a matter of procedure to be determined by the Commission itself.