§ 2. Lieut.-Commander WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Most-favoured-Nation Treaty between this country and Germany came to an end on the out-break of War; whether a fresh Treaty will have to be negotiated before the old relations can be restored; and whether he will undertake that no such new Treaty shall be entered into until this House has had ample opportunity of expressing its opinion?
§ Sir E. GREYNo Commercial Treaty between this country and Germany was in existence at the outbreak of War, the Treaty with the Zollverein having been denounced by His Majesty's Government in 1897, and consequently having lapsed on 30th July, 1898. Since that date no fresh Treaty has been concluded. It is, I believe, unconstitutional to give an undertaking that no new Treaty will be concluded without the previous consent of Parliament, but it is obvious that no Treaty with Germany can be made till the War has been brought to a successful conclusion.