§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Federal Council of Switzerland has approved a Bill giving a drawback of five francs per 100 kilogrammes of sugar contained in condensed milk; whether the Council have stated that the existing duty on sugar imported into Switzerland enhances the cost of condensed milk by three per cent., and places the Swiss product at a disadvantage of one franc 50 centimes per chest of 48 boxes in the English market, compared with the cost of production in a "free sugar" country like England; and whether, if the International Commission consider that part of this drawback acts as a bounty, the importation of condensed milk from Switzerland will be prohibited.
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.W.Her Majesty's Government are informed that although the Swiss National Council had adopted this Bill, the Council of States has rejected it. Accordingly the matter stands over until next Session in June.
§ MR. CHANNINGDo not the facts stated in the second part of the question appear in the official reports of the Board of Trade?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONI am not prepared to answer, without reference, whether it is the case or not.