§ MR. RITCHIEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he will state the date of the last communication received from the French Government relating to the introduction of the system of refining in bond into French sugar refineries; and, whether, seeing the great importance to English sugar refiners of the introduction of this system, Her Majesty's Government will continue to urge its speedy adoption on the French Government?
§ MR. BOURKESir, this matter has formed the subject of discussions in the Mixed Commission at Paris, and a statement was made there by the representative of the French Government on the 10th instant, to the effect that a draft of Regulations had been prepared by the Ministry of Finance, under which it is proposed that the system of refining in bond shall be applied to French sugar refiners. This draft of Regulations will be submitted to a Committee to be appointed by the Minister of Finance and afterwards to the Council of State. Nothing further can be done until these bodies have approved the Regulations, which have not yet been communicated to Her Majesty's Government.