HC Deb 04 March 1918 vol 103 cc1688-9
12. Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is prepared to give the Netherlands Government an assurance that Great Britain will favourably consider any invitation to attend a Conference of the Signatories of the Berlin and Brussels Acts summoned to consider a provisional settlement of Central African problems?

The SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Balfour)

We have never been asked for any such assurance.

Mr. KING

If the Government were asked, would they favourably consider such an invitation?

Mr. BALFOUR

We will wait until that event occurs.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Is it not a fact that in the early days of the War representations were made by Spain to this Government with regard to this matter, and that this Government refused to listen to that appeal?

Mr. BALFOUR

No, I am not aware of that fact.