§ Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can assure the House that His Majesty's Government will not enter into any undertakings with a view to the termination of any international treaty by which Great Britain and other Powers mutually agree not to grant preferences to certain of their Colonies without asking for the authority of the House?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThere are no international treaties which prevent this country from granting tariff preferences to any Colony, and I presume the hon. Member has in mind treaties which prevent certain Colonies from granting preferences to this country. I regret that I cannot give the assurance requested in the question.