§ LORD CLAUD HAMILTON (Liverpool, West Derby)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, since the expiration of the Anglo-French Treaty in 1881, any Commercial Treaty, involving the question of tariffs, or including the most favoured nation clause, has been concluded or exists in which the United Kingdom has not power to give notice of withdrawal at the end of twelve months; and, whether the Convention 1015 concluded by Her Majesty's Government for a Treaty, binding Her Majesty to give the most favoured nation treatment until June 30, 1892, is not the first occasion, since the lapse of the Anglo-French Treaty, in which it has been proposed to bind the United Kingdom for a definite term of years?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BRYCE) (Aberdeen, S.)Yes, Sir; several Treaties, each for a term of years, containing a Most Favoured Nation Clause have been concluded since the date mentioned in the Question. Among them are the Commercial Treaties with Portugal of 1882 and with Italy of 1883, the Provisional Agreement with Mexico of 1883, and the Commercial Convention with Egypt of 1884. None of these Treaties is terminable by a notice of withdrawal at the end of 12 months.