§ MR. AUSTIN TAYLOR (Liverpool, East Toxteth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that Germany refused to ratify the Additional Act extending the Brussels Sugar Convention for a further period of five years, unless Russia would consent to enter into a protocol, prohibiting her from exporting sugar for six years beyond a certain specified quantity; and if His Majesty's Government were cognisant of this attitude of Germany when they agreed to ratify the Additional Act.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYOn signing the Additional Act the German Government gave it to be understood that their ratification of the instrument must depend upon the admission of Russia to the Convention upon terms which were acceptable to the great sugar-producing States. At the special meeting of the Commission convened in November last to consider the question of the adhesion of Russia, various methods of compromise were suggested and discussed; and the modification in the system of exportation of Russian sugar eventually decided upon was the only solution on which there was any possibility of an agreement being reached between the various States of the Sugar Union. I would again remind the House that His Majesty's Government do not undertake any obligation in respect of the stipulation tending to the restriction of the exportation of Russian sugar; and, in view of the facts which I have previously given with regard to the export of Russian sugar, it would not have been reasonable, and I consider it would have been inexpedient, for His Majesty's Government to act otherwise than they have done.
§ MR. AUSTIN TAYLORMay I ask if the attitude of Germany in insisting on Russia coming into the Convention on the basis of limiting her exports was not the inevitable result of this country's action?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI do not quite follow the point.
§ MR. AUSTIN TAYLORMay I put it in another way?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order. It seems to be an argumentative Question.