§ SIRW. EVANS GORDON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a Bill is now before the Portuguese Cortes under which it is proposed to grant exclusive rights to a German syndicate to build hotels and sanatoria in the island of Madeira during a period of thirty years, to import furniture and material free of duty, and 665 to build and run casinos and gambling rooms in connection with the said hotels; whether he is aware that the import duties in Madeira average from 50 per cent. to 80 per cent. ad valorem; that the Portuguese Government has frequently promised equal treatment for British subjects with the subjects of other Powers; and, seeing that the granting of the exclusive rights and privileges above referred to would constitute a breach of these pledges, and expose British subjects long established in Madeira to ruinous competition and loss, whether His Majesty's Government will make such representations as seem necessary on the subject to the Portuguese Government.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYAccording to the information in my possession, no Bill such as that alluded to by the hon. Member has yet been brought before the Portuguese Chamber. I am aware that the Portuguese import duties are high. His Majesty's Government have no reason to suppose that any legislation is contemplated which would be contrary to the satisfactory assurances which have already been received from the Portuguese Government with regard to the protection of British interests and property in the island of Madeira from unfair competition.