§ Mr. JAMES HOPEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely, whether the new French Tariff is at this moment law; and, if not, whether it is within the power of the President of the Republic to withhold his assent to the same or to delay its promulgation until a new Chamber shall have been elected and convoked?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The President is required by Article VII. of the; Constitutional Law of 1875 to promulgate laws within a month, and in urgent cases within three days, of their submission to him; but within these periods he can require them to be reconsidered.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Tariff is now worse for British trade than when it passed the Senate?
§ Sir E. GREYI have not had an opportunity of studying the matter.