§ MR. CHARLES MCARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information, confirmatory or otherwise, of a report that the recently appointed Spanish Ambassador to Washington is charged with instructions to entertain an agreement conferring on American products preferential treatment in the Spanish West Indies; and, if in possession of information tending to confirm the report, what steps, if any, he intends to take to protect the interests of British traders having dealings with Cuba or Port Rico; or, if without information, whether he will cause inquiry to be made on the subject?
MR. CURZONNo information to this effect has been received. Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid will, however, be instructed to inquire. Under the existing commercial agreement between Great Britain and Spain British goods are entitled to be treated in the Spanish colonies under the minimum column of the colonial tariff.