25. Captain LLOYDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and, if so, how many commercial treaties containing Most-Favoured-Nation Treaty Clauses have recently been denounced by His Majesty's Government; whether there is any reason for delay in promptly carrying out the policy in regard to these treaties recently announced by His Majesty's Government; and, if so, what is the cause?
Mr. BALFOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the general policy of His Majesty's Government in these matters, I can add nothing to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Hexham on 24th June last.
Captain LLOYDIn view of the extreme importance of this question, can the right hon. Gentleman give us any hope that the matter will be settled shortly?
Mr. BALFOURI hope it will, but as my hon. Friend will see this is not a Foreign Office question. The Foreign Office is the office, no doubt, which would make any announcement to the foreign Governments, but the policy is the policy of the Government as a whole, and I hope my hon. Friend will address any question he has to the Prime Minister or the Leader of the House.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Leader of the House stated some time ago that the Government had decided to denounce these treaties, and when does he propose to move in the matter?
Mr. BALFOURA question was put to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he did give an answer, the answer to which I have referred—an answer given, I think, on 24th June last 693 to the hon. Member for Hexham (Mr. Holt). That is the last statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. TERRELLMay I ask whether it was not to the effect that the Government had decided to denounce these treaties?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat can be ascertained on reference to it.