§ MR. G. DUNDASsaid, he wished to know whether it was the intention of the Government, in negotiating the question of the settlement of the Sound Dues, to stipulate for the settlement of the Danish Transit Dues on the same basis?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, a treaty has been negotiated with Denmark for the remission of the Sound Dues by the principal Powers of Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Hanover, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the Netherlands, Prussia, Russia, Sweden, Norway, and the Hanse Towns. It is anticipated that that treaty will be signed in the course of the present week. It contains stipulations not only with regard to the remission of the Sound Dues, but also for a remission of the transit dues; and, although I am not able to state 2053 the precise amount of the remission of transit dues, I believe it will be less than a reduction of four-fifths of their present amount.