§ MR. LONSDALETo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States Government have expressed their willingness to negotiate with Great Britain with reference to granting special rates on articles imported under the third section of the Dingley Law; and whether, seeing that under our existing fiscal system Great Britain has nothing to offer the United States in exchange for the concessions desired, His Majesty's Government will consider the desirability of placing this country in a position to bargain with the United States for the concession of reciprocal advantages which are enjoyed by other competing countries.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYNegotiations are already in progress. The last part of the Question contains a statement which I cannot admit, and a suggestion that a complete change of the fiscal policy of this country should be made in order to secure reductions of duties on such articles as statuary, pictures, etc., which comprise the limited list affected by the Dingley Law referred to: I cannot think this would be a wise course.