§ MR. POTTERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is prepared to state to the House the information which the Government has received from the Italian Government in reference to the probable changes in the Commercial Tariff of that country?
§ MR. BOURKESir, Her Majesty's Government are aware that it is proposed by the Italian Government to modify the Tariff Treaties now in force between Italy and other European Powers. England has no Tariff Treaty with Italy, but we have a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation still in force, which contains the usual "most-favoured nation" clause. Under these circumstances, it is clear that British interests are affected by any changes that may be made in the Commercial Treaties which exist between Italy and other 19 Powers, inasmuch as we gain by any concession which. Italy may grant to them and lose by its withdrawal. The matter is felt by Her Majesty's Government to be one of importance. Sir Augustus Paget has received instructions with regard to it, and it will continue to receive the most careful attention of the Foreign Office. It would, however, be premature to lay Papers on the Table, as the matter is still under discussion.