§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Newfoundland Government was consulted and its adherence obtained to the provisional agreement entered into between His Majesty's Government and that of the United States with reference to the Newfoundland fisheries.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Newfoundland Government were, of course, consulted before any negotiations were begun and were fully informed of their progress at each stage. His Majesty's Government were not, however, so fortunate as to obtain their adherence to the provisional agreement which circumstances rendered necessary.
§ MR. ASHLEYIs it not usual in the case of self-governing colonies to get their consent to provisional agreements?
§ MR. CHURCHILLMatters which affect the interpretation of Imperial treaties should form the subject of Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.