§ Mr. LOUGHasked whether an extraordinary meeting of the Brussels Sugar Convention had been called for this day; if so, whether this meeting had been summoned at the request of Russia to discuss the limitation of her export of sugar; and what attitude His Majesty's Government had directed their representatives to assume with regard to Russia's claim in the event of its not being conceded by the other parties to the Convention?
§ Sir E. GREYAn extraordinary meeting of the Permanent International Sugar Commission has been summoned for to-day at the instance of the Russian Government, with a view to the increase of the amount of Russian sugar to be exported westwards in the year 1911–12 beyond the amount laid down by the Brussels Convention. The last part of the question is not one which I can answer while the Commission is still sitting, but I shall make a statement on the subject as soon as the sittings are concluded.
§ Mr. LOUGHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman how long the session will last; whether he will be able to make a statement on, say Tuesday or Wednesday; and whether he recalls the assurance he gave the House in 1908 that no sugar would be prevented from entering this country; and whether he thinks that is borne out by the facts?
§ Sir E. GREYI have not the words in mind, but the assurance I gave must have meant that we were not parties to the prevention of Russian exports, and that our ports were open to any sugar sent from there. That, of course, still holds good. As regards the duration of the sittings of the Commission, I cannot say definitely whether they will be long or not. I hope they will not be long, because I recognise the importance and urgency of the matter.