HC Deb 14 March 1882 vol 267 cc896-7
MR. MAC IVER

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the French Commercial Treaty, recently signed by Lord Lyons and M. Freycinet, is already binding upon us for 10 years; and, if it will be laid upon the Table of the House before ratification?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

The Treaty is not a Commercial Treaty; but with that exception the statement of the hon. Member is perfectly correct. It is a Treaty relating to fisheries, trade marks, navigation, and other purposes; but it is not a Commercial Treaty. It is binding on this country, and it will be laid on the Table of the House.

MR. MAC IVER

As the hon. Baronet has not given a definite reply to my Question, I wish to ask him whether I am to understand that the situation remains precisely as before? I wish to ask if it is not the case that this Treaty, by deliberate omissions, is, in point of fact, a retrograde Treaty?

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is entering into matters of debate. He may put a Question; but it is not competent for him to enter into matters of debate.

MR. MAC IVER

I wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether it is not the case that by reason of its omission to deal with these matters we suffer injustice, and whether it is not, in point of fact, a retrograde Treaty, which ties our hands for a period of 10 years as regards questions where pressure might have been brought to bear to remedy such injustice? I also want to ask him whether it is true that the concession which has been made as regards a reduction in the surtaxe d'entrepôt on South African wool is not, in reality, a concession to French manufacturers, which, by cheapening so much of their raw material as may be obtainable from South Africa, will operate to the disadvantage of our competing manufacturers and agriculturists? ["Oh, oh!" and "Order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member cannot be allowed to introduce matters of debate or controversy.

MR. MAC IVER

I beg to give Notice that on Thursday next, on going into Committee of Supply, I will call attention to this Treaty and move a Resolution.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

This is not a retrograde Treaty, because, as regards the subjects with which it deals, it is exactly the same as the last, and has nothing to do with the surtaxe d'entrepôt.

MR. MAC IVER

It omits it.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

It is not a Treaty which can possibly take account of it.