§ 5. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has completed his representations to the Government of Italy in regard to the tariffs to be imposed upon Manchester cottons and Yorkshire woollens sent from this country to Tripoli, in lieu of the practically Free Trade conditions which had effect in that country when under Turkish rule?
§ Sir E. GREYThe matter was considered at the close of the Italian-Turkish war, but as no country made any special stipulations with regard to commerce, it would not have been desirable or practicable for us to do so; nor would it have been in accord with precedent.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSCan we not take the initiative in a matter of such great importance to our own commerce?
§ Sir E. GREYIt is not possible to secure better terms in a case of this kind than any other country secures. If the hon. Member will refer to precedents— they are rare—he will find there is no precedent for making a special stipulation.