HC Deb 04 May 1876 vol 229 cc36-7
GENERAL SIR GEORGE BALFOUR

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he will cause to be laid before the House, Statements of all Duties levied in the United Kingdom on the produce and manufactures of India, and also of the Duties levied in India on the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom and Colonies, with a view to negotiations being entered into between the Governments of the United Kingdom, of the Colonies, and of India for establishing a thoroughly reciprocal free trade between the dominions of the Sovereign?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,

in reply, said, there would not be the slightest objection to lay before the House a statement of the character asked for by the hon. and gallant Member, if he would move for a Return; but he must demur to the latter part of the Question, which, indeed, he thought would be hardly right to put in the form of a Question, as to the policy which was to be founded on those Returns, and he must guard the Government against the adoption of what was implied in the Question.