§ MR. MACIVERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can now give the House any assurance that the negotiations with the French Government with regard to a Commercial Treaty will result in the reduction or abolition of import duties on British and Irish manufactures, other than "shoddy," in the abandonment of the bounty system, and in the abolition of the "surtaxe d' entrepot"?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEAs formal negotiations have not yet commenced, it is impossible for me to give any assurances as to their results.