§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state what decision has been arrived at with regard to the protest of the Agents General of the self-governing Colonies, presented to the Trade and Treaties Committee of the Board of Trade, against the maintenance of the clause in the 1661 Treaty of Commerce concluded with Belgium in 1862, and with the German Zollverein in 1865, prohibiting British Colonies from admitting to colonial markets the goods of Great Britain and Ireland at a lower duty than the products of Belgium or Germany, and practically of any foreign nation; whether a similar denunciation was also urged by a deputation comprising Members from both sides of the House, and of the Canadian Legislature; whether the Committee made some weeks ago a Report on the subject; and when such Report will be laid upon the Table?
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHEvidence to the effect stated in the question was given to the Trade and Treaties Committee, and the Committee have reported on the subject; but I do not think it advisable at present to publish their Report.