§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if he was aware that prior to any British representative or commercial traveller calling upon Swedish merchants or consumers for the purpose of negotiating sales of tin plates, black plates, or galvanised sheets or other commodities, a licence valued at £5 had to be taken out; and if he was prepared to negotiate with the Swedish Government with a view of getting the licence duly abolished?
§ Sir E. GREYI am aware that all British and other foreign commercial travellers exercising their calling in Sweden are required, and have been 1439 required for several years, to take out a licence at a cost of 100 kronor or about £5 11s. The licence is available for thirty days, after which a renewal fee becomes payable. Similar fees are payable in some other foreign countries, and representations with regard to the matter have been made from time to time to the principal foreign Governments concerned. Having regard, however, to the small success which has attended these representations, and to the fact that there is no differential treatment, I do not think there there would be any advantage in taking action in the direction suggested at present; but the matter shall be borne in mind with a view to reverting to it on the occasion of any favourable opportunity.