§ 50. Mr. LOUGHasked the Prime Minister, whether he can now fix a time for the promised discussion with regard to the adherence of this country to the Brussels Sugar Convention after September, 1913, or if he can make any statement with regard to the policy which the Government have decided to pursue in the matter?
§ The PRESIDENT Of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)The Government have studied the Motion which my right hon. Friend has put down. The Government announced in this House, and declared through their Delegates on the Permanent Sugar Commission, that unless satisfactory terms were arranged in regard to the exports of Russian sugar, they would be compelled to withdraw from the Convention. The terms of the new Protocol lately signed by the other members of the Convention are not satisfactory to His Majesty's Government; and they have therefore decided to withdraw from the Convention. A year's notice of withdrawal from the Convention is necessary, 2245 such notice to be given before 1st September in any year. The British Government will, therefore, before 1st September next, give notice of their withdrawal from the Convention, and will cease to be parties to it after 1st September, 1913.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman when the Government arrived at this decision to withdraw from the Convention, and whether he does not think this House ought to have an opportunity of expressing its opinion before the Government takes a step of that character?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said repeatedly, if there is a desire to discuss the matter, the Government will afford an opportunity?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEWill not the way be now open for granting a preference to Colonial sugar?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIn what way does the right hon. Gentleman propose we should have an opportunity of discussing it before the decision is final?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy right hon. Friend (Mr. Lough) has a notice on the Paper.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe will endeavour to find a day.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONIs not the effect of the notice on the Paper to prevent any hon. Member discussing it on the Motion for the Adjournment? Is it not a blocking Motion?
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINWill the right hon. Gentleman or the President of the Board of Trade tell me when the Government arrived at the decision he has just announced?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe date?
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINYes, the actual date the Government arrived at the decision which has just been communicated to the House. [Communications having passed between the Prime Minister and the President of the Board of Trade.] In that case, I will ask why the decision is only now communicated to the House in the very closing days of this portion of the Session, and whether the object of the Government is to render discussion before action nugatory?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe decision has only been recently arrived at, and this, as far as I know, is the first time any question has been put to us. The Government are most anxious to have a discussion, and, if necessary, I will give an extra day before this portion of the Session closes.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think, considering the interest which has been shown on both sides of the House, the Government might have volunteered a statement on the subject the first moment at which they had made up their minds, having hitherto replied to all questions that they had not made up their minds; and, in the second place, does he think an adequate opportunity for discussing it can possibly be given when the House is only now seized with the intention of the Government, and is to adjourn some time next week?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, I think perfectly adequate.