MR. MAC IVERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is the fact that the voluminous correspondence with regard to French shipping bounties, published in the Blue Books recently issued, was absolutely without result; and, if it is the case, that Her Majesty's Government failed in obtaining any concessions with regard to "surtaxe d'entrepôt," except such as are likely to operate to the disadvantage of our own agriculturists and manufacturers?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI must once more beg the hon. Member to road his Blue Books instead of asking me to tell him what is in them. He last night called attention to the effect of surtaxe d'entrepôt in charging Canadian goods which came by Liverpool with dues from which Canadian goods which came by New York are free. If he had read his Blue Book he would have found that in my fourth or fifth speech upon the subject I succeeded in getting the French Commissioners to share the views which he and I both hold upon this question.
MR. MAC IVERI am sure the House will pardon me; but the hon. Baronet has not answered my Question. He has simply suggested that I should read the Blue Books. I have read them. I want to ask him to reply distinctly to the Question as it appears on the Paper—
Whether the voluminous correspondence with regard to French shipping bounties, published in the Blue Books recently issued, was absolutely without result?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI have told the hon. Member as plainly as I 1143 could speak that the exact contrary is the case.
MR. MAC IVERI beg to give Notice that as soon as possible I will call attention to the inaccuracies of the hon. Baronet's answers.