§ MR. NORWOODasked the Presided of the Board of Trade, Whether hit attention has been directed to a notification of the Suez Canal Company, that on and after the 1st July next, the toll 1688 of ten francs per ton now levied on the net tonnage (or cargo capacity) of steamers will be charged on the gross tonnage; and, whether the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown has been taken as to the power of the Company, consistently with the terms of its Concession, to levy dues on that portion of the tonnage of a merchant steam vessel occupied by its machinery and fuel?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, in reply, the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown had not been taken on this subject, and he was not sure whether the Government would think it right to take their opinion as to the effect of the terms of a concession made by a Foreign Government to a Foreign Company. But with regard to the facts of the case, he had reason to believe, from information he had obtained at the Foreign Office, that the notification referred to had been given by the Suez Canal Company. His noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs had taken steps at his request to secure full information on the subject from our Ambassador at Constantinople.
§ MR. NORWOODinquired, whether it was true that the Italian Government had taken diplomatic action in the matter?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, the Board of Trade had not received any information of the kind from the Foreign Office.