(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[9980]
No. 1.
189
[March 7.]
SECTION 4.
Sir,
Treasury to Foreign Office.-(Received March 7.)
Treasury Chambers, March 6, 1912. THE Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury have had before them Mr. Langley's latter, dated the 14th ultimo, with its enclosed copies of the recent Inter- national Opium Convention, &c, and direct me, in reply, to request you to inform Secretary Sir Edward Grey that, as was indicated in the Treasury letter of the 7th ultimo, they recognise the need for legislation if the convention is ratified by His Majesty's Government. The policy of such ratification, however, does not directly concern their Lordships, except in so far as it would involve (as they readily agree that it would) the employment of the Board of Customs and Excise as the natural agency for carrying out in the United Kingdom the policy adopted by His Majesty's Govern- If the convention is ratified, and ment in consultation with the departments concerned.
if legislation is introduced into Parliament, it will become necessary to defend the policy; and, in expressing their assent to the employment of revenue agency, their Lordships merely desired to make it clear that such assent should not commit them to the defence of the policy--a duty which would properly fall to be discharged, as the Secretary of State indicates, by the departments most directly concerned.
They will be glad to be informed in due course if the convention is ratified, in order that they may make the necessary communication to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.
I am,
&c. ROBERT CHALMERS.
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