MR GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, when do His Majesty's Government propose to fulfil their obligation, under Art. VII. of the Brussels Sugar Convention, to communicate to the Brussels Permanent Commission the Laws, Orders, and Regulations on the taxation of sugar in Great Britain and the Crown colonies, in order to enable that Commission to pronounce whether any direct or indirect bounty on the production or exportation of sugar is 1461 granted in Great Britain or British Crown colonies; do His Majesty's Government propose similarly to communicate the Laws, Orders, and Regulations in question existing in the self-governing colonies; and can he say when it is proposed that the Permanent Commission shall hold its first meeting.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANBORNE, Rochester)The obligation in question I will be fulfilled as soon as possible after the meeting of the Commission. His Majesty's Government will also be prepared to communicate any laws, etc., of the self-governing colonies which may be desired by the Commission. It is hoped that the Commission will meet at an early date.
§ LORD CRANBORNEI am not able to give more precise information.