HC Deb 25 April 1870 vol 200 cc1727-8
MR. VANCE

said, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade, If our Ambassador at Paris has suggested that two English Merchants or Manufacturers should be examined before the French Commission of Inquiry respecting the Commercial Treaty now in force between England and France; and, if so, upon what principle those witnesses are to be selected?

MR. OTWAY

replied that a suggestion was made by the British Ambassador at Paris that two English merchants or manufacturers should be examined before the French Commission of Inquiry respecting the Commercial Treaty between England and France. The Board of Trade had, in consequence, communicated with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, because the inquiry now going on at Paris related entirely to the cotton manufacture. There was no special principle on which these witnesses were to be selected, beyond that of the possession of the necessary information on the subject.