HC Deb 04 August 1890 vol 347 cc1757-8
MR. SUMMERS

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is provided in Article VII. of the Commercial Treaty of 1886, that A duty not exceeding five per cent. shall be paid at that port in the dominions of the Sultan of Zanzibar where the goods are first landed, and on payment thereof such goods shall thereafter be exempt within the Zanzibar dominions from all other Customs Duties or Taxes levied by or on behalf of the Government of His Highness the Sultan"; and whether, in the event of the mainland portion of the Sultanate of Zanzibar being ceded to Germany, goods which have paid the 5 per cent. duty on entering the island, would be liable to pay another 5 per cent. duty on entering the mainland?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

It may be assumed that if the mainland and Zanzibar are separated, goods coming from the latter would certainly be treated like goods coming from any other foreign country. The best security against undue burdens upon trade is that they would tend to divert it to another sphere.

* MR. SUMMERS

Do I understand the Under Secretary to say that, under the Anglo-German Treaty, there will be an end of Free Trade between the Island of Zanzibar and the mainland?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

I have answered that question repeatedly. If the mainland of Zanzibar or part of it falls into the hands of the German Government it will be subject either to the conditions of the Commercial Treaty with Zanzibar or to those of the Berlin and Brussels Act.

SIR G. CAMPBELL

Are goods from Zanzibar free to enter that portion of the mainland where the Sultan's flag flies without paying additional duty?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

Certainly.

MR. BRYCE

May I ask whether the effect of the Anglo-German Agreement will not practically be to abrogate the Zanzibar Treaty of Commerce?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

I understand the German Government desire to be held by the terms of the Zanzibar Treaty of Commerce.