§ SIR MARK STEWART (Kirkcudbright)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if five influential firms of merchants established on the West African Gold Coast have recently sent a petition to the English and German Governments asking for a heavier duty on liquors in view of the next revision (1897) of the Convention between these two Powers; and, if so, what answer has been returned to them by Her Majesty's Government?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The petition has been received and the matter is under consideration.