§ MR. NEWDEGATEasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether negotiations are contemplated or are being carried on for the renewal of the Commercial Treaty between Her Majesty and the French Republic, or for the conclusion of a new Commercial Treaty through Her Majesty's Representatives in France, or in any other manner; and, whether, in case such negotiations are contemplated or are being carried on, inasmuch as the conclusion of a Commercial Treaty with the French Republic may, and probably will, especially under the most favoured nation clause of other Treaties, fetter the discretion and power of this House in the performance of its financial and legislative duties for a considerable number of years, Her Majesty's Ministers will furnish to this House such information as may enable this House to form and to express an opinion upon the contemplated terms of such Commercial Treaty before this Country can justly be held pledged to the acceptance of such Treaty?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe position of affairs in regard to the Commercial Treaty between this country and France is this—Notice was given to the British Government by the French Government at the close of last year for the termination of the Treaty between the two countries to expire at the end of this year. There have been 1862 several communications made to the Government by Chambers of Commerce and persons interested in the trade between England and France, in order to bring about a renewal of some Commercial Treaty between the two countries; but the French Government have informed us that it will not be possible for them to enter into any communications until the views of the French Legislature have been ascertained upon the general principles of commerce and commercial action to be adopted by France. The discussion will arise upon the General Tariff Bill which is now before the Chamber of Deputies; but it is not certain when the Bill will come on for discussion. At the present moment I feel myself unable to give a definite answer to the latter part of my hon. Friend's Question. Much will depend on the nature of the communications we are enabled to open before I can say whether and in what way it will be convenient to take the opinion of this House upon any terms that may be under consideration.