§ Mr. EWARTsaid, he begged to ask the hon. Secretary to the Treasury whether the measures proposed to be adopted in reference to the fiscal changes in the Isle of Man were yet prepared; and, if so, when the Government proposed to lay the same before the House? Also, whether it was intended that such measures should affect importations made under the licences ending the 30th day of June next; also, whether any and what measures had been adopted to promote a more frequent communication by mail with that island during the winter months?
§ MR. JAMES WILSONsaid, the proposed changes with regard to import duties in the Isle of Man were in a state of great forwardness, and though he could not state what they were, he might assure the hon. Member that the increase of duty would be extremely small, the present anomalous system would be entirely abolished, and the re- 909 strictions which permitted importations only by licence, would be entirely removed. With regard to the licences ending the 30th of June next, he believed they would not be affected, because the changes would not come into operation before that time; and with regard to more frequent mail communications, he was not aware of any such measures having been adopted.