§ MR. BLACK (Banffshire)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that upon 21st April, 1903, the British Ambassador in Berlin made an intimation to the German Government to the effect that he believed that, in certain events, His Majesty's Government would impose retaliatory duties on German goods coming into this country, he will say whether this statement was made with the sanction of His Majesty's Government or is now adopted by it; and, if so, what is the need for further inquiry.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I have read the paragraph in Sir F. Lascelles' despatch, of which the hon. Member gives an abbreviated version. I quite agree with 864 the paragraph in its original form. It expresses the belief of our Ambassador, which I also share, and seems to point to the necessity of inquiry rather than the reverse.
§ MR. ALFRED DAVIES (Carmarthen Boroughs)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, in view of some of the results of the inquiry into a possible change of our fiscal system being laid before the House previously to the end of the present session, whether he will state the mode in which such inquiry is being held or will be held.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have nothing to add to what I have already said in answer to similar Questions.
MR. ALFRED DAVISI have not heard the right hon. Gentleman answer any Question as to the mode of inquiry.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware that the Questions have been about, anything else.