§ 79. Mr. GILBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any reply from the Portuguese Government to the British note sent protesting against the 43 increased charges imposed on British ships entering Portuguese ports; and, if so, can he state the answer and if the Portuguese Government propose to withdraw or alter their charges?
Mr. HARMSWORTHNo reply having been received from the Portuguese Government, the renewed attention of His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon has been called to the matter. No doubt the change of Ministries and the unsettled nature of the political situation in Portugal have caused the delay.