§ MR. CHARLES McARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the grounds upon which His Majesty's Government has decided to decline to be officially represented at the forthcoming International Conference to be held at Brussels to promote greater uniformity in the laws of the different maritime States with respect to collision and salvage liabilities.
§ EARL PERCYHis Majesty's Government have, in accordance with a long established and carefully considered policy, decline I to be officially represented at the Conference on the grounds that their participation might be held to bind them to accept its conclusions. They will, however, take steps to secure full information of the discussions and of the decisions arrived at by the Conference.
§ MR. CHARLES McARTHURDoes the Answer imply that a representative will be sent, but he will not have power to vote?
§ EARL PERCYWe shall probably instruct our Minister there to obtain a full report of the proceedings.