§ 27. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to revise the attitude of the West Coast Colonies towards trade spirit by allowing importation, but by charging on all imported liquor a heavy flat-rate duty which will discourage cheap spirits, check all drinking, and help to restore the revenues?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs the hon. and gallant Member will see, if he will refer to the Convention relating to the liquor traffic in Africa, which was signed at Saint Germain-en-Laye on 10th September, 1919, ratified by His Majesty in 1920, and laid before Parliament as Command 478, His Majesty's Government are bound by treaty in the matter. Under this Convention who are pledged to prohibit the importation of trade spirits.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the other signatories to the treaty are also carrying it out?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is a question which I should certainly have to consider very carefully before I attempted to answer it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODis not that the question raised in Debate the other day to which an answer must be given?