Letters and Papers Concerning the Trans-Persian Railway and Other Railways in Persia [‎167v] (334/442)

2029
Supply (Committee). HOUSE OF
[Sir G. Parker.]
supported the President of the Board of
Trade, and those experts on the Opposi
tion side of the House, what has happened
since to change the policy of the Govern
ment? We know that there has been a
conference sitting first in Paris and after
wards in London at which this question
was discussed, and we have never had a
statement either from the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, the First Lord of the Ad
miralty, or from any authoritative source. I
think this Committee is entitled to a state
ment, and I think the Foreign Secretary
will believe me when I say that I should be
very loth to say a single word that would
make difficulties between France and Eng
land. The entente has enabled us to clear
up long outstanding grievances such as
Newfoundland and Egypt, and it enabled
us to come to a convention in the
New Hebrides to cover difficulties
which were certain to arise there.
What has been done has been all to the
good, but it is a question which in making
arrangements wuth a foreign Power with
which we are in entente we are not inclined
in order to preserve peace to go too far
in the matter of concession; and, unless
the Government have come to the con
clusion that the President of the Board
of Trade and the Admiralty were wrong
prior to 1906, then in re-establishing the
principle of £he admission of alien pilots
to our waters in the Pilotage Bill of 1912
they are doing something that is danger
ous to the interests of this country. I
would not raise this question if it were
simply one affecting the interests of a
small section of the public whose personal
advantages were being affected, but it is a
great national question, and I wish to ask
the Foreign Secretary whether it has been
found that the Law Officers in 1906 were
wrong and that the present advisers of
the Crown are right in advising the
Government that the change may be made
Avithout infringing any maritime conven
tion, or any covention which may exist
between this country and France. I hope
the right hon. Gentleman even in the few
moments that remain will be able to reply.
Sir E. GREY: This involves a great
matter, and I cannot without referring to
the Board of Trade give the hon. Member
the full information he wants on the sub
ject of pilotage. It is being dealt with by
the Board of Trade. Perhaps he will put
down a question. I cannot answer off
hand.
COMMONS Royal Scottish Museum. 2030
Mr. LEIF JONES: May I ask my right
hon. Friend whether there are any Papers
or any information which he can give to
the House with regard to the question of
forced labour, approaching very nearly to
slavery, in the Portuguese territory in
Africa ?
Sir E. GREY : Certain statements, which
are obviously rather behind the facts, have
been made this evening, and I will look
into the matter and see if I can lay any
Papers.
Mr. KING : This pilotage affair is a very
important matter, and the right hon. Gen
tleman would really do a great public ser
vice of he could thoroughly look into it.
It is not only a question involving our re
lations with France, but also our relations
with other countries. There is no doubt
a very serious and strong feeling on this
subject in the country.
And, it being Eleven o’clock, the Chair
man left the Chair to make his report to
the House; Committee to sit again to
morrow (Thursday).
ROYAL SCOTTISH MUSEUM (EXTEN
SION) [EXPENSES],
Resolution reported, “That it is ex
pedient to authorise the payment, out of
moneys to be provided by Parliament, of
any expenses incurred by the Commis
sioners appointed under any Act of the
present Session to make provision for the
acquisition of property for the Extension
of the Royal Scottish Museum at Edin
burgh.”
Resolution agreed to.
PROTECTION OF ANIMALS (SCOT
LAND) BILL.
Read the third time, and passed.
SHOPS ACT (1912) AMENDMENT
BILL.
Read a second time, and committed to a
Standing Committee.