HC Deb 23 June 1881 vol 262 cc1093-4
MR. W. HOLMS

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, having regard to the Resolution adopted by this House on the 9th instant, That no Commercial Treaty between Great Britain and France will be satisfactory which does not tend to the development of commercial relations between the two Countries by a further reduction of duties, any representation has been made by Her Majesty's Government to the French Government that we can only treat with them for a new Commercial Treaty on the conditions of said Resolution; and, if no representation has been made, what course does Her Majesty's Government intend to take to give effect to the Resolution?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, no formal representation has been made to the French Government; but the terms of the Resolution are kept in view by the Royal Commission now engaged in conducting commercial negotiations with France.

MR. W. HOLMS

said, he would call the hon. Baronet's attention to the last portion of his Question—" What course does Her Majesty's Government intend to take to give effect to the Resolution?"

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

We can only give effect to the Resolution by means of the negotiations, and, as I have stated, the Resolution is being carefully borne in mind.