§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether the German Government has with the assent of the Prussian Parliament, greatly increased the large bounties heretofore granted upon the manufacture of German sugar, particularly on its export to England; and, if so, what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken or are taking to safeguard the interests of Her Majesty's West Indian and other possessions pending the final consent of the Bundesrath?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe bounties are apparently increased by the proposed new law, but the Foreign Office are obtaining further information on the subject, and Sir Frank Lascelles has been instructed to report on the differences between the old law and the new Bill.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTasked if Her Majesty's Government would make representations as to the injurious effect of the tariff upon British industries, and particularly upon Her Majesty's West Indian possessions?
§ MR. RITCHIEThe sugar bounties question is by no means a new one, it is an old one. [Laughter.] Her Majesty's Government have repeatedly been making representations on the subject. I do not think any further representations of that kind suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend would be likely to have a good effect, and I am sure he would not desire us to make any representations of this sort unless they were likely to have some effect.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTAm I to understand that Her Majesty's 216 Government have no power to negotiate commercially on these matters?
§ MR. RITCHIEThey have power to initiate negotiations, but negotiations have repeatedly taken place on the subject and many conferences have been held.