§ 1. Mr. MUNRO-FERGUSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that the duty on dried salted fish imported into Portugal from the United Kingdom is higher by Is. per cwt. than on similar imports from Norway, Denmark, and Germany; whether any representations have been made to the Portuguese Government with a view to securing more favourable treatment for British traders; and, if so, with what result?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)My attention has been directed for some time past to the differential treatment of British dried salted fish in Portugal. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. Negotiations for a treaty are still proceeding and His Majesty's Government hope soon to bring them to a satisfactory conclusion.
§ Mr. HUNTCan the right hon. Gentleman say how long these negotiations have been going on and also whether America 196 or any of the other countries have given up the full benefit of the Most-favoured-Nation Clause?
§ Sir E. GREYI must have notice of the last part of that question. With regard to the first part, negotiations have been proceeding for a considerable time.
§ Sir E. GREYOne or two years probably. The difficulty has been to differentiate the Portuguese case from all the others. The Portuguese Government complain that we impose differential duties upon their wines.