§ MR. MACIVERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in the event of a reduction in the Duty upon Spanish Wines, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to insist that Spain shall withdraw her differential Duties in such manner that British and Irish vessels may be placed on the same footing as Spanish ships, and may be enabled to land manufactured goods in Spanish ports without being met by a system of taxation which is practically prohibitory? The hon. Member also asked, Whether, in the event of a reduction in the Duty upon French Wines, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to insist that France shall make a corresponding reduction in the Duties which are at present levied upon British and Irish manufactures; or if it is intended that France shall continue to tax largely the whole of our manufactures, while we are to admit all hers (except wines) absolutely Duty free?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe matters to which the hon. Member alludes will be carefully considered in the course of the commercial negotiations which Her Majesty's Government hope they may shortly be able to commence with Spain. Her Majesty's Government trust that the result of these negotiations 75 will be to effect a substantial improvement in the commercial relations of the two countries; but it must be obvious to the hon. Member that it would be quite impossible to make any announcement at present with regard to the particular points on which Her Majesty's Government will insist, or the particular objects which they have in view. The answer which I have already given with regard to the Spanish negotiations will apply equally to the hon. Member's Question about France.