§ MR. KNOWLES (Salford, W.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the French Government have assimilated their Home and Colonial Customs Tariffs; and, whether such assimilation will 1665 shortly come into force in their Asiatic Settlements, and impose differential duties against British trade?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)The French Government have not assimilated their Home and Colonial Tariffs. It is enacted that from and after June 1, 1887, the General Tariff of France shall be applied to all foreign goods imported into Cochin-China, Cambodia, Annam, and Tonquin, with such exceptions as may be considered advisable by the French Indo-Chinese Authorities, and be sanctioned by the French Council of State. French goods entering Indo-China will be free of duty, unless they come under the exceptional rates above-mentioned, whether they are imported under the French or a foreign flag. Since September 6, 1886, French ship3 entering ports in Annam and Tonquin have been liable to pay tonnage dues at the rate of 2 francs per ton for three months, or 50 centimes per ton per voyage. Foreign ships pay double—namely, 4 francs in the first case, and 1 franc in the second.