§ MR. SOARESI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of Venezuela now imposes a 30 per cent. differential surtax on importations from the West Indian Colonies; into Venezuela contrary to the provisions; contained in Article IV. of the Treaty of 1825; whether frequent representations have been made by the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce to the Colonial Office on the matter; and whether, if the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Venezuela should be abortive, His Majesty's Government are prepared to retaliate against the Govern of Venezuela by the imposition of duties on importations from Venezuela into the United Kingdom.
§ *MR. LYTTELTONThe answer to the first two paragraphs is in the affirmative; as regards the third His Majesty's Government have not thought it necessary to consider the course which they would adopt in the event suggested.
§ MR. SOARESWhen do the Government propose to consider the question?
§ *MR. LYTTELTONWhen the event occurs.