[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
ECU
REGE 8 MAR 12
[February 14.]
SECTION 2.
101
[5575]
No. 1.
Sir,
Foreign Office to Treasury.
Foreign Office, February 14, 1912. IN reply to your letter of the 7th instant, I am directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you herewith, to be laid before the Lords Commis- sioners of His Majesty's Treasury, copies of the International Opium Convention, as signed at The Hague on the 23rd January, and of the "protocole de clôture" of the
conference.*
I am to request you to draw their Lordships' attention to the fact that certain of the provisions of the convention will, if the convention is ultimately ratified by His Majesty's Government, require legislation in order to give them statutory effect, and Sir E. Grey notes with satisfaction that their Lordships are prepared to authorise the Customs and Excise Department to act as the national agency for carrying out the policy involved in the convention; but in regard to their request that Sir E. Grey should undertake the defence of the policy adopted, and of any legislation required to give statutory effect to that policy, I am to state that this is a duty which Sir E. Grey cannot consent to undertake, the India Office, Colonial Office, and Board of Trade being the departments most directly concerned, though he will of course assist in the defence, if so desired, and when he is able to do so.
I am, &c.
W. LANGLEY.
pl
*
Already printed.
[2389 -2]