HC Deb 29 March 1898 vol 55 c1250
MR. CHARLES MCARTHUR

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid any information, confirmatory or otherwise, of a report that the recently appointed Spanish Ambassdor to Washington is charged with instructions to entertain an agreement conferring on American products preferential treatment in the Spanish West Indies; and, in the event of confirmatory information having been received, what steps, if any, he intends to take to protect the interests of British traders having dealings with Cuba or Porto Rico?

MR. CURZON

Information has been received to the effect that negotiations with regard to the commercial relations between the United States and Cuba have just been commenced at Washington. Until it is known what course these negotiations may take it is impossible to state what, if any, steps it may be necessary to take in the matter.

MR. CHARLES MCARTHUR

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in case of necessity, take the needful steps to secure most-favoured - nation treatment for British trade?

MR. CURZON

Occupants of the Front Bench are always cautious in answering hypothetical questions of the type suggested by my hon. Friend.