§ MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that the United States Government have passed an Act in relation to exports of hemp from the Philippines, whereby a preferential rate has been enacted in favour of America; and, if so, whether, in view of the effects on the rope and other trades in this country by reason of such preferential rates, he purposes making any friendly representation to the United States Government; and whether, at the time the Philippines were annexed by the United States Government, His Majesty's Government sought for any assurance that no preferential rates would be imposed which would be detrimental to any old established trades between this country and the Philippines.
§ LORD CRANBORNEThere is no preference given in the Philippine Islands in respect of the duty on hemp exported to the United States; but all articles, the growth or produce of those islands, coming thence into the United States, pay only 75 per cent. of the United States Customs duties, and in the ease of such of those articles as are required to pay export duty in the Archipelago, a further abatement is allowed equivalent 1449 to that duty. The combined effect of these arrangements upon hemp is that, in order to reach the United States market, it has to pay twice as much duty as it has to pay in order to reach our market. I shall be happy to furnish the hon. Gentleman with the figures if he wishes for them. The answer to the last Question is in the affirmative.