§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BRYCE) (Aberdeen, S.)I have much satisfaction in informing the House that the negotiations conducted by Her Majesty's Government, since their accession to Office, with the Spanish Government, through Sir Clare Ford, Her Majesty's Minister at Madrid, 571 have resulted in the signature of a Convention which Her Majesty's Government trust will place the commercial relations between Great Britain and Spain on a greatly improved footing. The main provisions of the Instrument are as follows:—Spain grants to British produce and manufactures, through all her Dominions, complete most favoured nation treatment in all that relates to trade and navigation. Her Majesty's Government, on their part, in addition to the continuance to Spain and her Colonies of most favoured nation treatment, engage to apply to Parliament for the necessary authority to provide that the limit of the lower half of the alcoholic scale of Wine Duties shall extend up to, but not exceed, 30 degrees of proof spirit. The Spanish Government grants specifically to British trade the benefits of all the stipulations contained in the Treaty of 1882 with France, and the Treaty of 1883 with Germany. Her Majesty's Government trust that the tariff provisions of these Treaties will largely benefit some of the most important British industries, and that the disabilities under which British trade with Spain has hitherto laboured will now be removed. The Convention will remain in force until the year 1892 certain, and is capable of indefinite prolongation. Its text will be presented to the House in a very few days. The sanction of the Spanish Cortes, as well as of our own Parliament, is required in order to bring the Convention into effect. But it is hoped that no difficulty will be encountered in obtaining an assent which is manifestly to the benefit of both countries, and which will doubtless strengthen the cordial relations which now happily exist between the two Crowns and peoples. I cannot conclude without bearing witness to the ability which has been shown by Sir Clare Ford in the conduct of these negotiations; and I may add that his task has been considerably lightened by the good will of Senor Moret, the Spanish Minister of State, who, while upholding the commercial interests of his own country, has, as far as possible, met the wishes of Her Majesty's Government with fairness and consideration.
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)Will the advantages in respect to the alcoholic strength of wines be extended to the British Colonies?
§ MR. FORWOOD (Lancashire, Ormskirk)Does the Convention extend to British ships going to Spanish Colonies the same privileges as are extended to ships of other nations?
§ MR. BRYCEI certainly understand that point to be covered by the Convention. The words are—"Complete most favoured nation treatment" in all that, relates to trade and navigation.
§ SIR HENRY ROSCOE (Manchester, S.)When will the Papers in regard to this most important subject be laid on the Table?
§ MR. BRYCEI hope to lay the text of the Convention on the Table of the House to-morrow, and I hope the print of it will be in the hands of hon. Members in a short time.