HC Deb 11 April 1907 vol 172 cc359-60
MR. ALDEN (Middlesex, Tottenham)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if a Commission to settle administrative details in connection with the New Hebrides Convention has been appointed; if so, can he state the place and date of meeting of the said Commission; and can he give any further information to the House on the subject.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey,) Northumberland, Berwick

A small Anglo-French Committee is being appointed to settle the salaries and other conditions of service of the officials of the Joint Court established by the New Hebrides Convention. This Committee will probably meet in London, but the date of meeting has not yet been definitely fixed.

MR. ALDEN

asked if he was to under stand that the terms of the Commission did not extend outside, merely affecting salaries.

SIR EDWARD GREY

said that was so.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Is there no intention to extend the scope of this Commission, in view of the promises made by the right hon. Gentleman that questions relating to the employment of natives outside the New Hebrides, and the regulations relating to them, should be submitted to a Commission of this sort?

SIR EDWARD GREY

This Committee is appointed for this special purpose. If larger questions are to be raised they will have to be considered with reference to something else.