§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether any correspondence or negotiations took place between the British and German Governments in each or any of the years 1900, 1901, or 1902, in regard to the fiscal treatment of Canada; whether any such correspondence or negotiations took place within the twelve months ending the 1st of May, 1903; whether the British Government have re-opened negotiations since the 1st of May last; and whether any correspondence took place between the British and German Governments in consequence of the failure of the negotiations between Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the German Consul at Montreal in the autumn of 1901.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo correspondence in regard to the subject mentioned took place with the German Government in the years 1900, 1901, or 1902. Correspondence with the German Government was resumed in 1903, shortly before the date mentioned in the Question. No correspondence took place between the 1185 Governments in consequence of the failure of the negotiations in Montreal in 1901.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThen it is not right to say that "persistent representations" have been made to the German Government?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have given the hon. Member the facts. He can draw his own conclusions.