§ MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W. )I beg to ask the Under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has assented to the increase of the ad valorem Customs duty proposed by the Porte in consideration of the surplus being applied to the execution of reforms in Macedonia; if so, what further reforms, if any, have the Government stipulated for as a condition of their assent; and what security is there that she money obtained will actually be applied to the execution of reforms.
§ EARL PERCYHis Majesty's Government have not yet given their assent to the proposed increase. The conditions on which assent could be given are still under their consideration and that of the other Powers.