§ Mr. HOUSTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Commercial Treaty between Great Britain and Japan, recently negotiated, had been definitely signed; whether he would issue a full copy of the Treaty to the Members of this House; whether in the Treaty there was any clause, provision, condition, obligation, or implied understanding that. Great Britain should maintain a policy of Free Trade or preventing or limiting the imposition of duties on merchandise or goods imported from Japan; if there was any such clause or condition for what period was that clause or condition to continue; and, if such clause or condition had been entered into with Japan, whether the Most-favoured-Nation Clause or understanding would compel this country to extend to other countries the same privileges or advantages conferred upon Japan?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe Treaty was signed on 3rd April, and was laid before Parliament on the 5th April. Most of the information desired by the hon. Member will be found in the text of the document itself. As regards the last part of the question, any privilege or advantage conceded to Japan could be claimed by any other country having a Treaty with Great Britain which contains a Most-favoured Nation Clause.