HC Deb 13 March 1857 vol 144 cc2294-5
MR. G. DUNDAS

said, he wished to inquire of the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with reference to the statement made by him that four-fifths of the Danish Transit Dues were to be abolished, he had considered the expediency, before any treaty was signed, of stipulating for the abolition of the remaining fifth also.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir, the question of the Transit Dues has been very carefully negotiated by our Minister at Copenhagen, and by the Ministers of other Powers who are interested in the remission of these dues; and I understand that the settlement embodied in the treaty about to be signed has given satisfaction, not only to our Minister, but also to the agents of the Hanse Towns and of other Powers more directly interested in the transit. I have every reason to believe that the stipulations contained in the treaty are reasonable and equitable ones.

MR. G. DUNDAS

Is the treaty signed?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

It may be signed now, but it was not at the time our last advices left Copenhagen.