REDEMPTION OF THE SCHELDT TOLL.

HC Deb 09 March 1865 vol 177 cc1456-7

(4.) £175,650, Redemption of Scheldt Toll.

MR. PEEL

moved, That a sum not exceeding £173,650 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the second moiety of the charge payable by Great Britain under the treaty, dated the 16th day of July, 1863, for the Redemption of the Scheldt Toll, to the 31st day of March, 1865.

SIR HENRY WILLOUGHBY

asked for information as to the basis of the calculation between the two countries. Why should this country pay half of this moiety?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that the Vote was proposed according to the arrangement between the contracting parties. No new principle was involved in the present Vote. The English Government dissented from the proposal of Belgium that the charge of redemption should be distributed between all countries in proportion to the whole number of tons passing up and down the Scheldt, and Belgium at last assented to charge herself to the extent of one-third in the first instance. The present proposal was to give effect to the arrangement.

Vote agreed to.

House resumed.

Resolutions to be reported To-morrow;

Committee to sit again To-morrow.