HC Deb 05 May 1908 vol 188 cc51-2
MR. HAROLD COX

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the cost of the British Delegation to the Brussels Convention; and what is the precise service rendered by that delegation to the taxpayers of this country.

SIR EDWARD GREY

The cost amounted for the past financial year to £679 4s. 7d. The service rendered by the British Delegation has been to represent British interests on the International Commission, as the hon. Member can see from the Papers which have Been presented to Parliament from time to time, and in the opinion of His Majesty's Government those interests have been most efficiently represented.

MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)

asked when the House would have an opportunity for discussing the subject.

SIR EDWARD GREY

could not say; he would be glad to avail himself of any opportunity that offered.

MR. HAROLD COX

asked whether the duties of the British Delegation included the exclusion of sugar that would otherwise come into the country.

SIR EDWARD GREY

explained that his Answer applied to proceedings before the Commission under the Convention as it had been for the last few years and not under the modified form.

MR. AUSTIN TAYLOR

Was not the Convention modified by the protocol limiting the imports?

SIR EDWARD GREY

said the Convention would be modified as was explained in the Papers; his Answer referred to the action of the British Delegation before the modification.

MR. AUSTIN TAYLOR

Was not the assent of this country given to an agreement by which imports of Russian sugar into this country were not prevented, but exports from Russia were prevented?

SIR EDWARD GREY

said that that was an agreement between the Russian Government and other Governments. We were cognisant of the article, but undertook no responsibility under it; it imposed no obligation as to our own action.

MR. AUSTIN TAYLOR

rose again.

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order. The hon. Member appears to be arguing the question.