§ SIR CHARLES DILKETo ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether His Majesty's Government propose to make any statement with reference to the Brussels Sugar Convention, and to afford an opportunity for discussing the additional Act before ratification.
(Answered by Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man.) The additional Act is in accordance with the intentions of His Majesty's Government, as stated in Parliament on 6th June last, and they have promised to deposit the ratification at Brussels by whatever date is necessary. The date fixed originally was 1st February, and, unless it is postponed by consent, the ratification must be deposited by then. There will, of course, be the usual opportunities for discussing the Act if desired, but it is impossible to promise one before ratification.