§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now say whether the Representatives of the British Government have agreed to make the Anti-Slavery Conference an occasion for imposing heavy duties on merchandise in the free trade area of Africa, and a light or almost nominal duty on spirits: and whether Parliament will be consulted before advantage is taken of a Conference on another subject to put an end to free trade in ordinary merchandise while spirits are admitted on very easy terms?
§ *SIR J. FERGUSSONHer Majesty's Government have agreed to Import Duties being levied purely for the discharge of the expenditure imposed by the General Act for the Prevention of the Slave Trade. The conditions of the 685 tariff are to be fixed by a negotiation, to be opened immediately after the signature of the General Act.