SIR SEYMOUR KINGI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Indian and Ceylon tea, shipped to Russian European ports, either direct or via United Kingdom, is subject to a differential duty of one penny per pound as against tea produced by other countries; and whether, seeing that recent telegrams give ground for supposing that the Russian Government contemplate still further imposts on British-grown tea, and that orders for Indian and Ceylon tea have consequently been held back, pending further information on the subject, he will say whether any remonstrances have been addressed to the Russian Government; and whether His Majesty's Government will use every effort to prevent this industry being thus handicapped in Russian markets.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe Answer to the first Question is in the affirmative. I have no reason to suppose that the duty will be further increased. It is not proposed to make further representations to the Russian Government, as those made a few months ago led to no result.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThese particular duties which the Russian Government have imposed are by way of retaliation
† See preceding Question and Answer.619 for the prohibition of Russian sugar under the Sugar Convention. I do not think it will be desirable to carry the game of retaliation any further.