HC Deb 26 March 1928 vol 215 cc796-7
17. Sir JOHN MARRIOTT

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the Imperial Government is directly represented on the Joint Waterways Commission; and, if not, whether it is proposed to appoint representatives thereon?

Mr. AMERY

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the International Joint Commission set up under the Treaty with the United States of the 11th January, 1909. As will be seen from Article 7 of that Treaty, the representatives on the Commission appointed by His Majesty are appointed on the recommendation of the Governor in Council of the Dominion of Canada, and the reply to both parts of my hon. Friend's question is therefore in the negative.

Sir J. MARRIOTT

Can the right hon. Gentleman state that this Commission was set up on the initiative of the Imperial Government in 1909; and, if so, were not the Imperial representatives on the Commission from the outset?

Mr. AMERY

No, Sir. This is a Commission dealing entirely with an issue between Canada and the United States, and the British Empire was represented on it by Canadian representatives, who were appointed on the recommendation of His Majesty's Canadian Ministers.

Sir J. MARRIOTT

That was so from the first?

Mr. AMERY

Yes, Sir.