MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade have His Majesty's Government, in fulfilment of their obligation under the Brussels Sugar Convention signed 5th March, 1902, submitted that Convention to the self-governing colonies and to the East Indies, so that they may have an opportunity of giving their adhesion to it; if so, to which of the self-governing colonies has it been so submitted, and what reply has been received in each case; and will His Majesty's Government lay these replies upon the Table.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)I am informed by the India Office and the Colonial Office, which are the two Departments immediately concerned, that the Convention has been duly submitted to the Governments of India and the self-governing colonies, that a reply has been received from the Commonwealth of Australia briefly stating that they do not desire to adhere to the Convention, and that the remaining self-governing colonies and the Government of India have not as yet signified their wishes in the matter. When the correspondence on the subject is complete, I have no doubt my right hon. friends the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the Secretary of State for India 108 will consider whether any, and, if so, what Papers on the subject should be laid upon the Table.