HC Deb 09 April 1804 vol 22 cc1592-3
COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to relieve the Colony of Trinidad from the extra impost of 30 per cent. levied for 12 years past in Venezuela upon all goods coming from that island and the Antilles over and above the heavy duties levied upon goods from any other part of the world; and, having regard to the injury this extra duty has inflicted upon the Colony most adjacent to Venezuela, if Her Majesty's Government will consider the expediency of conferring with the other Antilean Powers—namely, Franco, Holland, and Spain, upon the situation, should the removal of the extra impost not be favourably considered by the new President, General Crespo, and Senor Bojas, the Minister for Foreign Affairs at Caracas?

ME. S. BUXTON

Diplomatic relations with Venezuela are still suspended, and consequently no steps have been taken at Caracas to relieve the Colony of Trinidad from the impost referred to in the first, paragraph of this question. Owing to this continued suspension of relations, Her Majesty's Government do not consider the present moment propitious for entering into any negotiations on the subject.

COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

Will the Government take the earliest opportunity of moving in the matter?

MR. S. BUXTON

That question should be addressed to the Foreign Office.