§ MR. JACOB BRIGHT (Manchester, S.W.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is aware that the new tariff arrangements with Spain cause a "certificate of origin" to be necessary, and that the Spanish authorities at the ports of entry require a declaration that the goods are not only of British manufacture, but that they are of the manufacture of the party whose name appears on the declaration, a statement which clearly cannot be made by the merchant; and, whether he can give any assurance that this serious hindrance to trade will be removed?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)The attention of the Secretary of State was at once called to the inconvenience caused by the requirements of the Spanish Customs Authorities in this respect. He made representations accordingly, which have been received by the Spanish Government with the utmost consideration, and a public announcement will be made immediately of the amended regulations. These are briefly that the shipper of goods will testify to their British origin, and the certificate of the Spanish Consul will be given without fee.