§ MR. W. HOLMSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What replay, if any, has been received from the French Government, in answer to the communication sent through our Ambassador to M. Waddington on the 18th of February, pointing out that the stipulations with reference to the duties to be levied on British mineral oils had been practically set aside by the pro- 1712 visions of a French Law passed in December 1873, and asking the French Government
That the question should be treated immediately, and distinctly, as a matter of Treaty engagement,and expressingThe hope that the French Government will perform the simple act of justice for which Her Government ask;and, if no reply has been received, what steps do Her Majesty's Government intend to take in order to redress what has been characterised by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as " a violation of Treaty engagements? "
§ MR. BOURKELord Lyons has reported that he has received assurances from the French Minister for Foreign Affairs that the representations addressed to the French Government respecting the mineral oil duties had been referred to the Ministers of Finance and of Commerce, and were under the serious consideration of the Government.