§ MR. MACIVERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is in possession of any evi- 1053 dence tending to show that the delay as regards Commercial Treaty Negotiations with France is attributable to our continued importation of foreign manufactures free of duty, unaccompanied by stipulations of any kind with reference to reciprocal Free Trade, and to the consequent difficulty, while such a policy lasts, of making it to the interest of France to receive our wares duty free?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKENo, Sir; my answer to the hon. Member's Question is in the negative.
MR. MAC IVERsaid, that in consequence of the hon. Gentleman's reply, he would, on an early day, call attention to the neglect of Commercial Interests by Her Majesty's Government; and would move—
That, in the opinion of this House, Customs Duties should at once be replaced upon such Foreign importations as come into unfair competition with the industries of Great Britain and Ireland.