§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether any steps have been taken by the Irish Government with a view to induce the American Government to withdraw the prohibitory tariff proposed to be imposed on Irish cured fish imported into that country.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Irish Government communicated with the Foreign Office on the subject. My noble friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs states that the alteration in the method of assessing the duty is due to a ruling by the Board of General Appraisers. Against this ruling there is a right of appeal to the Circuit Court of the district, and, under certain circumstances, a further appeal to the Supreme Court It would appear that advantage has already been taken of this right of appeal, and my noble friend does not consider that any useful purpose would be served by making representations to the United States Government at the present stage. But the matter will be closely watched and representations made when they are likely to have good results.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this increased taxation is practically killing the Irish mackerel fishing industry?