§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the existing surtax of 30 per cent, on all goods shipped from the West Indies to Venezuelan ports, which was imposed by President Castro's Government, is a contravention of existing treaties; and, if so, what steps His majesty's Government propose to take to secure its removal.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RUNCIMAN, Dewsbury; for Sir EDWARD GREY)Ever since the surtax was imposed in,1881, this Government have considered it contrary to Article 4 of the Treaty of 1825. His Majesty's Government are not at present prepared to take any steps different from those taken by their predecessors, which were to attempt to settle the question by negotiation.