Mr. PIKE PEASEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps, if any, have been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Trade Relations between Canada and the West Indies?
Mr. HARCOURTThe recommendations with regard to reciprocity with Canada have been referred to the Governors of the West Indian Colonies for the consideration of the Legislatures of those Colonies. The recommendations with regard to steamship services and telegraphic communication are engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement with regard to them. His Majesty's Government have accepted the recommendations as to the Imperial Department of Agriculture, and have decided to continue to make provision for the maintenance of the Central Office of the Department in the 797W West Indies for a further period of ten years. The other matters touched on in the Report are receiving attention.
Mr. PIKE PEASEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether any correspondence has taken place between His Majesty's Government, and the Dominion of Canada, and the Governments of the West Indian Islands in regard to the Report of the Royal Commission on the Trade Relations beween Canada and the West Indies, and, if so, will he publish the same?
Mr HARCOURTI am in correspondence with the Governments both of the Dominion of Canada and of the West Indian Colonies on this subject. The correspondence is still continuing, and it would be premature to consider the question of publication at present.