[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
261
10.94
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[15190]
No. 1.
F.co
[April 1
Reef 3 MAY 12
SECTION 1.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.(Received April 11.)
Downing Street, April 10, 1912. WITH reference to the letter from this department of the 6th March, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to request you to inform Secretary Sir Edward Grey that he has had under his consideration a letter from the Board of Trade, dated the 28th March, with regard to the legislation necessary to give effect to the provisions of The Hague Opium Convention. It is understood that a copy of that letter has been communicated to your department.
2. Mr. Harcourt is inclined to think that, in the circunstances, the best course would be to appoint an informal committee, composed of representatives of the Foreign, Indian, and Colonial Offices, the Board of Customs, the General Post Office, and the Board of Trade to consider the general lines of the legislation which is required.
3. The result of the committee's deliberations should be submitted to one of the parliamentary counsel for the purpose of drafting the necessary Bill, and when the draft has been prepared the committee should be reassembled in order to examine and consider its terms.
4. I am to suggest that, if Sir Edward Grey is prepared to concur in this proposal, the departments concerned should be invited by your department to agree, and to nominate representatives on the committee.
[24587-
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I am, &c.
H. J. READ.