§ COLNEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will explain on what grounds, in the present condition of British trade, Her Majestys Government consented to the duty upon British goods entering Bulgaria being raised from 8½ to 10½ per cent., notwithstanding that England admits Bulgarian goods duty free?
§ *SIR E. GREYThe Bulgarian Government represented that it would no longer be possible for them to meet their financial needs by Customs duties at the rate of 8½ per cent., and originally suggested that, on the termination, on the 13th of January, 1895, of the then existing Anglo - Bulgarian Agreement, the 830 rate should be raised to 15 per cent. After some negotiation a rate of 10½ per cent. was accepted by Her Majestys Government, on the consideration on the duty was imposed for fiscal and no for protective purposes; that as regards amount it compared favourably with the rates existing in most Continental countries, and on the condition that British goods received most-favoured-nation treatment. This arrangement is to remain in force for two years, pending the conclusion of a more permanent Treaty.