§ 5. Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of British mercantile interests in the West Indies and the desirability of fostering trade between the United Kingdom and Cuba, His Majesty's Minister at Havana has taken any steps in respect of the financial clauses in the Cuban Ports Law of 1911; whether any action has been taken by His Majesty's Government to protect the interests of British shipping unloading cargo at Havana; and whether he is able to present papers or to communicate to the House any information received from the British Minister respecting the operation of the Ports Law and the subsequent presidential decrees which would be of interest to merchants, shipowners, and others engaged in Cuba as traders?
§ Mr. ACLANDRepresentations were made on three separate occasions in 1911 by His Majesty's Minister at Havana against the clause in the Cuban Ports Law replacing by a tonnage tax the existing harbour dues and discriminating in favour of United States shipping. As regards the latter part of the hon. Member's question, a decree was signed by the late President on 15th May last by which a new agreement was entered into between the Cuban Government and the Ports Company granting fresh contracts for some three million dollars to the company. I have, however, since received a telegram from His Majesty's Minister stating that the decree in question has been revoked by the new President. Fresh legislation on the subject appears to be now pending, and if I receive further information which may be of general interest I will inform the hon.