MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when it is proposed to exchange the ratifications of the Convention between England and France of 8th April, 1904, relative to Newfoundland, the Gambia, the Isles de Los, the Niger, and Lake Chad; in case the Convention should not be ratified, will the stipulations it contains in Articles IV. to VIII. as to the Gambia, the Isles de Los, the Niger, and I Lake Chad becomes inoperative as well as the stipulations in Articles I. to III. as to Newfoundland; and have any steps been, or are any being, taken to carry out the Articles IV. to VIII.
§ The following Questions also appeared on the Paper—
MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury are the two Declarations, one respecting Egypt and Morocco and the other concerning Siam, 803 Madagascar, and the New Hebrides, essential parts of the Agreement with France represented by those two Declarations and by the Convention of 8th April, 1904, relating to Newfoundland, the Gambia, and the Niger; and is it understood between His Majesty's Government and the French Government that the two Declarations will retain their effect and be carried into execution even in case the Convention fails to be ratified.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, have the Government of Newfoundland made any representation to His Majesty's Government or raised any difficulties affecting the rights conceded to the French under Article II. of the Anglo-French Convention of 8th April, 1904, in respect of Newfoundland local regulations as to bait, fishing, or access to ports on the so-called French shore, or in respect of the policing of the fishing; and was any agreement come to by His Majesty's Government with the Government of Newfoundland on these points before the Convention was signed.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)Perhaps my hon. friend will be good enough to postpone, say for ten days, any Question upon this subject. I do not think it would be in the public interest that I should at this moment give a reply by way of Question and Answer across the floor of the House.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes; they all relate, more or less directly, to the Anglo-French Agreement, and I am inclined to think that it would be desirable, if my hon. friend sees no objection, to defer them for the time I have suggested.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESassented to the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman, but added that, in view of the extreme gravity of the situation that might arise, he would put the Questions down again a fortnight hence.