§ Mr. LOUGHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can now give any information about the adjourned meeting of the Brussels Sugar Convention which was to have been held on the 26th ultimo; has Russia obtained the permission to increase her export by 400,000 tons this year; and, if not, whether any action is proposed by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked whether the Secretary of State has any information regarding the progress of negotiations between Germany and Russia in relation to the additional export of sugar by the latter country under the Brussels Convention?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)A meeting of the International Sugar Commission was held in Brussels yesterday (Sunday) at which a protocol prolonging the Convention for a further period of five years from 1st September, 1913, was signed. A declaration relative to the method of distribution of the additional 50,000 tons of sugar which Russia is to be allowed to export during the periods 1912–13 and 1913–14 was also signed at this meeting. Neither document was signed by the delegates of His Majesty's Government, but a Note was addressed to the Belgian Government stating that His Majesty's Government saw no objection to the increase in Russian export in this or any future year during the continuance of the Convention.
§ Mr. LOUGHWas this country represented at the meeting, and are we in any way committed to a renewal of the Convention?
§ Mr. ACLANDWe were represented at the meeting, but we are not committed in any way to a renewal of the Convention.
§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONCan the hon. Gentleman state whether the ratification is to be completed?
§ Mr. ACLANDI must ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. LOUGHasked the Prime Minister whether he can now see his way to fix the date for the promised discussion on the Brussels Sugar Convention?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I regret that it is impossible at present to fix a date.
§ Mr. LOUGHIs my right hon. Friend aware that it is announced that a decision was arrived at by the Convention yesterday, and that a ratification of the Powers is to be required before 1st April; if he finds that that is so, will he fix the Debate earlier?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty's Government are in no way committed.