§ 1. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inquire whether it is impossible for English 1838 merchants to obtain reimbursement of duty paid on articles of English manufacture imported into Austria when, for the reason that such articles are found to be unsuitable for the market or otherwise unsaleable, it is desired to return them to the senders in this country; whether, in the case of similar articles imported into Austria from Germany, the duty is reimbursed under similar circumstances on the ground that, in the case of a country charging an Import Duty, a reciprocal arrangement in this respect can be and is made; and whether he can take any steps for the removal of this disability suffered by English traders by reason of the absence of any basis for a reciprocal arrangement due to the duty-free importation of goods of foreign manufacture into this country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)I am not aware that goods imported from Germany into Austria can be subsequently re-exported with refund of duty except in a certain limited class of cases. Such return of duty is, however, understood to be accorded where the goods are specially declared on importation as being sent for approval and conditional sale. The question of the possibility of securing similar facilities for British goods has recently been under the consideration of His Majesty's Government, who are about to address a communication on the subject to the Austro-Hungarian Government. There seems to be no foundation for the suggestion in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. PETOMay I satisfy the right hon. Gentleman by the production of papers on which the question is based?
§ Sir E. GREYI shall be glad to receive any information on the subject.