§ MR. A. D. PROVAND (Glasgow, Blackfriars)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in the negotiations now pending between the United States and the West India Islands, there is any suggested or contemplated preferential customs treatment of dutiable 1387 merchandise imported into the West Indies from the United States as compared with the same or similar merchandise imported from the United Kingdom; and, if so, whether he will give the names of the articles which it is suggested should receive such preferential treatment?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESI am unable at the present time to give any information as to the negotiations, of which I have no full report, and which are not completed. No such arrangement, however, has been proposed or contemplated by Her Majesty's Government.
§ MR. PROVANDHas any such arrangement been proposed by the other side?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIESThe honourable Gentleman, I think, had better restrain his curiosity until I am able to lay upon the Table the whole account of the negotiations.