§ MR. J. TOLLEMACHEsaid, he wished to ask the President of the Board of Trade, The cause of so long a delay in the settlement of the question as to the terms upon which English salt is to be admitted into France, under the reciprocity treaty between the two countries, and what is the present state of the negotiations thereon?
§ MR. MILNER GIBSONsaid, in reply, that from the inquiries he had made he was led to believe that very shortly the salt duties in France would become the subject of legislation. There had been a lengthened investigation, which he believed had now terminated, and probably during the present Legislative Session in France a project of law would be prepared. Of course he knew nothing as to what the details of the measure would be, but it would be proposed with a view of reducing the present heavy duties on salt going into France.