§ Mr. LOUGHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the announcement that Russia may be allowed to export 500,000 tons of sugar westwards in the coming year, instead of 600,000 as she asked, indicates that any arrangement has been arrived at between the Powers forming the Convention as suggested at the recent meeting; if so, whether His Majesty's Government is a party to such 1353 an arrangement; whether it implies that this country will continue a member of the Convention after 1913; and whether, in view of the interests here which are dependent on cheap and abundant sugar, he can now see his way to announce that under any circumstances this country will withdraw at the earliest possible moment?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative, so far as His Majesty's Government are aware. As regards the third part of the question, the answer is that no inference as to the future can properly he drawn from what is now taking place; and as regards the remainder of the question, that I cannot at present add anything to what I have already said.
§ Mr. LOUGHCan my right hon. Friend tell me how 500,000 tons got in instead of 600,000, to which he alluded in his first answer? The right hon. Gentleman told us then that Russia asked permission to export 400,000 tons, which with the 200,000 would make 600,000.
§ Sir E. GREYIf my right hon. Friend will put his question on the Paper, I will see what further information we have.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONMay I ask whether any instructions have been or will be given to the British delegates as to what their reply is to be to the question which will probably be put by the foreign Powers, namely, whether if they agree to this stipulation of an extra 400,000 tons Great Britain does or does not intend to withdraw from the Convention?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot answer offhand a definite question as to the instructions which we should give to our delegates in regard to a hypothetical question which has not yet been put.
§ Mr. LOUGHCan my right hon. Friend say that our hands will not be tied in regard to future action? I think he has already said so.
§ Sir E. GREYThis is a matter in which more than one Department is concerned. More than one Department has to be consulted, and I must ask my right hon. Friend to give me notice of the question.