Mr. KINGasked whether the Secretary of State will appoint a fifth representative, preferably a gentleman of commercial standing, to the Opium Conference at The Hague?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe question of the representation of His Majesty's Government at the Opium Conference at The Hague has received careful consideration, and it is not thought that any useful purpose would be served by further increasing the number of British delegates.
Mr. KINGIs it within the power of the Government to appoint a fifth delegate, on are they limited to four?
§ Mr. ACLANDI think it would be within the power of the Government to appoint the number of delegates they consider necessary and advisable.
Mr. KINGIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is absolutely no representative of British commerce among the delegates?
§ Mr. ACLANDAs the questions to be considered are those which any representative of commerce would be inclined to resist, the confinement of the trade in drugs, such as opium, morphine, and cocaine, perhaps it is better that there should not be any definite representative.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked whether, in view of the fact that the British delegation to the Shanghai Opium Conference consisted of five members, it is proposed to nominate a fifth British representatives to The Hague Opium Conference?
§ Mr. ACLANDI would refer the hon. Member to the reply just given to the hon. Member for North Somerset. I understand that the reason why the British delegation on the Shanghai Opium Commission consisted of five members is that one of the delegates, Mr. Mackenzie King, specially represented the Government of the Dominion of Canada; whereas on the present occasion none of the self-governing dominions have, in reply to the inquiry addressed to them by His Majesty's Government, expressed a desire to be represented.