§ Earl PERCY (Kensington, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to lay Papers relating to the progress of reforms in the European vilayets of the Turkish Empire; whether His Majesty's Government have given their assent to the proposed increase of the Turkish Customs duties; and, if so, on what I conditions.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYPapers on the subject are in the course of preparation, and will be laid in due course. The Answer to the last paragraph is in the negative, but the negotiations are in an advanced stage. In the event of the increase being agreed to, Papers will be laid which will fully explain the conditions.