§ VISCOUNT SANDONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received information that the measure for providing for Bounties to French Shipping has been passed by the Legislature of France; and, if so, whether he will lay upon the Table of the House a Copy of the measure as finally adopted, together with any correspondence which has passed between the Governments of France and England on the subject since the Papers which were laid before Parliament at the end of last Session; and, whether he is aware that somewhat similar proposals for Bounties to American Shipping have been made in the Con- 163 gress of the United States; and, if so, whether he can lay any papers upon the Table of the House upon the subject?
SIR CHARLESW.DILKESir, I have just laid on the Table further despatches from Lord Lyons respecting the Bill referred to by the noble Lord, with a Copy of it as finally adopted and promulgated. No particulars as to similar proposals made in the Congress of the United States have reached Her Majesty's Government through any official channel; but full information on the subject will, no doubt, be forwarded by Sir Edward Thornton.