asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Germany, Poland, Roumania and Czechoslovakia have yet ratified the Geneva Convention of 8th November, 1927, for the abolition of import and export prohibitions and restrictions?

I have been asked to answer this question. Poland and Czechoslovakia have not yet ratified the convention, while Germany and Rumania have ratified it. Under the terms of the Protocol which brought the convention into force, the latter countries need not remain bound by the provisions of the convention after 1st July, 1930, if Poland and Czechoslovakia have not ratified the convention by that date.

Then I understand that Germany has not recognised or signed the convention at all?

The hon. and gallant Member had better read my answer. I said: "Poland and Czechoslovakia have not yet ratified the convention, while Germany and Rumania have ratified it."

Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, for an hon. Member to put four starred questions for oral answer on the Paper?

I did not propose to call the fourth question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the dates of the signature by this country of the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions and of the agreement supplementary thereto?

The International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions was signed at Geneva on 8th November, 1927, and the Supplementary Convention on 11th July, 1928. The Protocol bringing the Convention into force was signed on 20th December, 1929.

Is it a fact that the late President of the Board of Trade, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Hendon (Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister), signed that Convention on behalf of this country?

I do not know who signed it, but it was approved by the late Government.

Can the hon. Member say whether this Convention is actually binding on His Majesty's Government at the present time—whether a sufficient number of countries have expressed their adherence to it to make it binding?

I understand under the Protocol, it was agreed to carry out the Convention if put in force, although the actual number of countries required originally for that purpose was one or two short of the number first agreed upon.

Can the hon. Member say how many countries are carrying it out?

Is it to be understood that this agreement is not actually binding at the moment?

No, Sir, it is binding for 18 months from the commencement of this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions, this country is precluded from prohibiting the import of cereals from foreign countries on the ground that they are bounty-fed?

The Convention precludes prohibitions or restrictions on imports on the ground that they are bounty-fed.

In view of the importance of this matter to agriculture, will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to send a copy of his reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bewdley (Mr. S. Baldwin), so that he will be able to explain to the agricultural workers how the late Conservative Government were responsible for handicapping the farmers and farm workers?

Order!