MR. MAC IVERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true, as stated in the Madrid Correspondence of the "Times,"
That Spain has offered England the 'most favoured nation' terms, on condition of Spanish wines being admitted at a shilling per gallon, up to 36 degrees of Sykes' alcoholmeter, but that England is trying for concessions on English imports, especially textiles and machinery, which makes an understanding somewhat difficult;and, whether it is the case that Her Majesty's Government, notwithstanding their protestations to the contrary, have so far reconsidered their position as to be actually in negotiation, at the present moment, with Spain, Italy, and Portugal, with a view to the conclusion of Commercial Treaties based precisely upon that principle of reciprocity which the Government has hitherto repudiated?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEMy answer to the first paragraph of the Question is that it is not true. My answer to the second paragraph is that it is not the case.