§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a Treaty of Reciprocity has been concluded between the island of Jamaica and the United States of America; and, in such a case, if he can state the general terms thereof, and particularly if it gives any privilege or preference to American goods over British goods in a British colony.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINA Provisional Reciprocity Convention has been made with the United States of America on behalf of Jamaica. Full particulars have not yet been received, but it is understood that the general effect is that on the convention coming into operation the import duties in the United States of America on sugar and certain fruits produced in Jamaica will be reduced, and the import duties in Jamaica on various articles largely imported from the United States of America will be reduced or abolished. The Provisional Convention is subject to ratification by Her Majesty's Government on behalf of the colony and by the President and Senate of the United States. The Convention gives no privilege or preference to American goods over British goods.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Is there anything in the Con- 308 vention which would prevent the extension to British trade of a system similar to the Canadian tariff?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of anything.