§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the recent request of the Italian Government to the Permanent Commission at Brussels for permission to export sugar, which request, though supported by His Majesty's Government, was refused by the Commission, His Majesty's Government intend to acquiesce in this injury to the export trade of Italy and the possible consequent injury to the import trade of the United Kingdom; and is he able to inform the House what course the Italian Government, which thereupon declared that it reserved all its rights, proposes to take in regard to this restriction of its trade imposed by the Commission.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The request of the Italian Government was to remain a party to the Convention under Article VI., and nevertheless to export sugar. If Italy does not remain a party to the Convention she will be free to export sugar. My right hon. friend cannot say what course she will adopt, but in any event we shall be free to import any sugar which she sends us.