The Motion having received general support from both sides of
the House and from the Irish Members, Mr. Sydney Buxton replied on behalf of the Government. He assured the House that while commercial matters had been taken into account, the first consideration of the Government throughout had been the naval and strategic position of the country. No party question was involved, because the Government were simply carrying out continuity of policy. They had not only carefully consulted all the Departments concerned—the Post Office, the Colonial and Foreign Offices, the Board of Trade, and the Admiralty— before accepting the invitation to the Conference, but before sending their delegates they had ascertained the views of the various wireless companies and of Lloyds. He wished it to be made clear that our Colonies had not been ignored, but had been carefully consulted, and that the Government had their support in regard to the Convention.
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