MR. SEYMOUR FITZGERALDsaid, he wished to repeat the question which he had put to the noble Lord opposite a few days ago, as to whether any steps have been taken for the enlargement of the period at which the ad valorem will be turned into specific duties. The question was of great importance, because though it was possible that the French Government might not fix a lesser duty than 30 per cent ad valorem, if it were left in their power to do so, if the change were once made into specific duties it would no longer be in their power to increase, though they might, if they chose, diminish their amount. But if the time within which the ad valorem were to be changed into specific duties were allowed to lapse, it would be at any period in the power of Prance to lower the ad valorem duties from 30 to 10 per cent; or, on the other hand, to raise them from 10 to 30 per cent. The British manufacturer, consequently, would never have any certainty as to the amount of duty which his goods might be called on to pay on their entrance into Prance. It was, therefore, highly important that either the ad valorem should be turned into specific duties within the period prescribed by the Treaty, or else that by mutual consent the time should be enlarged in a Supplementary Convention?