§ Mr. Mackinnon,at the request of some wine-merchants, wished to put a question to the right hon. the President of the Board of Trade. He desired to be informed whether, in the event of a commercial treaty being completed between England and France, and any reduction of duties taking place in consequence, those persons who had stock in hand would be entitled to receive the drawback upon it?
§ Mr. Laboucheresaid that, as the treaty was not yet signed, it was not to be expected that he should state what course the Government would take. He had no objection to add, however, that it was a general rule, in which he concurred, that no drawback was allowed on stock, should any alteration be made in the duties on it, accumulated during a pending treaty.