§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is able to state what fiscal advantages are now given in the Colonial possessions of France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States to goods imported from the Mother Country over goods imported from foreign countries, and what advantages are in return conceded by the same countries to goods imported from their own Colonies instead of from other countries; and if he will cause a Return to be prepared on this subject, in continuation of Commercial Paper, No. 5, of Session 1895.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI would refer the hon. Member to Memorandum No. XI., included in the first volume of 1676 Memoranda relating to British and Foreign Trade and Industrial Conditions (Cd. 1761 of 1903). The only change in this matter which has since taken place is in regard to the treatment in Spain of the products of Fernando Po and other Spanish possessions in Africa and vice versa. The list of articles the produce of these Colonies which are exempted from duty on importation into Spain has been somewhat extended whilst Spanish goods imported into these Colonies now enjoy preferential treatment only if imported under the Spanish flag. If the hon. Member, after considering the information given in the Memorandum referred to, requires fuller details on the subject, and will move for a Return, I will see what can be done to furnish him with the information he desires.