THE COMMERCIAL TREATY WITH ITALY.

HC Deb 28 June 1881 vol 262 c1481

MR. J. COWEN

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If any steps had been taken to renew the Commercial Treaty with Italy?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, the Commercial Treaty with Italy remains in force till the 31st of December. A Bill is before the Italian Legislature to prolong the duration of the Treaty, and will probably prolong its duration up to March or June next. Negotiations were last year begun by us with a view to the conclusion of new Commercial Treaties with the countries that produce strong wines—especially Spain, Italy, and Portugal. The change of Government in Spain caused these negotiations to be temporarily set aside; but there is every prospect that they may be soon resumed. Under certain eventualities the simultaneous conclusion of Commercial Treaties with these countries might be of considerable importance to British trade.