§ MR. RITCHIEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any changes have taken place recently in the Sugar Laws of France and Belgium, in consequence of the Treaty of the 31st October 1881 between those Countries, in which it was provided that drawbacks on exportation were to be an exact representation of the Duties of Excise; whether, in any Treaty that may be negotiated by Great Britain with Belgium, or any other Continental sugar producing Country, Her Majesty's Government will stipulate for similar provisions; and, whether, as the Treaty with France of the 28th February 1882 gives to the United Kingdom the benefit of every favour, immunity, or privilege, in matters of commerce or industry, which France may grant to any third Nation, Her Majesty's Government would, having in view the Treaty of October 31st 1881, between France and Belgium, regard the export under bounty of sugar from France to the United Kingdom a breach of the Most Favoured Nation Clause in the Treaty of 28th February?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, no report has been received of any change of this nature in the Sugar Laws of France or Belgium, but at the request of the Board of Trade inquiry has already been made. In the event of the negotiation of Treaties such as those referred to by the hon. Member, the subject of bounties will receive attention. The third point in the hon. Member's Question has been brought before Her Majesty's Government in a recent communication from the West India Committee to the Board of Trade, and is now under consideration.