§ MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, if the present Government is still in office at the time of the holding of the Colonial Conference in 1906, it is their intention to authorise the British representatives to discuss with the colonial representatives the question of mutual preferential trading between the mother country and the Colonies.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe subject has not yet been considered by His Majesty's Government, but as the hon. Gentleman asks me the Question, it seems to me impossible for any Government to endeavour to restrict the discussions of a Conference with the Colonies; and certainly, if it is difficult for any Government, it would be especially difficult for a Government which desires closer commercial union with those Colonies.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONIs it definitely settled that there is to be a Colonial Conference next year?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURWell, there was a Resolution passed at the last meeting of the Colonial Conference that there should be a Conference not later then 1906.
§ MR. LOUGHIs not the right hon. Gentleman bound by a general pledge to do nothing during the existence of the present Parliament to advance the subject?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir; I was talking of the Conference, not of this House.
§ MR. SOARESIs not the right hon. Gentleman bound by the terms of his Edinburgh speech?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir.