§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether negotiations are now in progress in respect to the conclusion of a Treaty of Commerce between this Country and Spain; whether the report is correct that Her Majesty's Minister at Madrid promised the Spanish Government that, in consideration of such Treaty being concluded, the British Government would take steps for the suppression of smuggling from the Rock of Gibraltar into Spain; what steps, if any, will be taken; and, whether this House will be apprised thereof before the ratification of the Treaty?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo commercial negotiations are at present in progress between Great Britain and Spain. From the Paper already laid before Parliament it will be seen that in the course of the negotiations for the conclusion of a definite Treaty, which are to follow the adoption by the Spanish Cortes of the Protocol of the 1st of December, 1883, Her Majesty's Government have engaged to give attention to the question of smuggling at Gibraltar. In the present state of the case it is not possible to say more, or to give a pledge as to the course which will be taken in making known to Parliament any agreement which may be come to on the subject.