§ MR. WHITLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can inform the House what are the existing obligations of this Country to Prance, Germany, Spain, and Italy with regard to the maintenance of the Duty charged on wine at its present rate per gallon?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe existing obligations of this country in the matter are contained in the Protocol of the 1st of December, 1883, and in the Declaration of the 21st of December, 1884, with Spain. These documents are given in the Parliamentary Papers, Commercial No. 5, of 1884, and No. 2, of 1885. Under these engagements the limit of the lower or shilling scale of Wine Duties is fixed at 30 degrees. There are no specific Treaty stipulations with France, Germany, or Italy in respect of the Wine Duties; but, as the hon. Member is aware, the produce of all countries obtains equal treatment in our tariff.