§ MR. CHARLES MCARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that bounty-fed sugar from the United States is admitted into Bermuda without a countervailing duty and is superseding British and German sugars exported from the United Kingdom to that island, to the detriment of British trade; and whether he will take steps to have due effect given by the Government of Bermuda to the provisions of the Brussels Convention.
§ *MR. LYTTELTONI am aware that there has for some years been a tendency for the exports of sugar from the United States to Bermuda to increase, which, however, is probably due quite as much to the intimate commercial relations existing between the two countries as to any bounties given in the United States. As at present advised, I do not propose to press the Legislature of Bermuda to take any special measures to check such importation, the colony not being a party to the Brussels Convention.
§ MR. CHARLES MCARTHURHas the Government not guaranteed the adhesion of the Crown Colonies to the Convention?
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Did not the Government assume for all the Crown Colonies all the obligations of the Convention? I must really press for a reply.
§ *MR. LYTTELTONI quite agree that my hon. friend is entitled to press for a reply, but will he be good enough to put the Question down?