§ Mr. GROTRIANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the fact that the Dominions Royal Commission in 1917 and the Imperial Shipping Committee in February, 1921, unanimously reported that uniform legislation on the subject of bills of lading should be adopted throughout the Empire, and that such last-named Report was adopted at the Imperial Conference hold in June, 1921, he will urge the self-governing Dominions and the Crown Colonies to follow the example of the Commonwealth of Australia in passing legislation identical with the British Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1924?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI have been asked to answer this question. I shall be glad to take my hon. Friend's suggestion into consideration.
§ Mr. GROTRIANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the Governments of the 24 maritime countries, whose delegates at Brussels in October, 1922, signed the Convention embodying The Hague Rules for bills of lading, and who again reaffirmed them at Brussels in 1922, have ratified this Convention; and whether, in view of the necessity from the point of view, both of shipowners and merchants, of securing uniformity in commercial law, His Majesty's Government will urge the Governments which have not yet ratified the Convention to do so immediately?
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§ Sir B. CHADWICKI have been asked to reply to this question. The protocol of signature of the draft Convention, respecting bills of lading, was opened at Brussels in August last, to remain open for a year, after which time the Belgian Government will, if sufficient signatures are received to convert the draft into a Convention, invite the Governments represented at the International Maritime Conference of 1922 to ratify the Convention. I will inquire how many signatures have been received to the Protocol, which is still open. I do not think representations to foreign Governments would serve a useful purpose.