§ 5. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is in force a commercial treaty between Britain and Spain; if not, whether one is contemplated or under discussion; and by what date it is proposed that it shall become operative?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe present position is governed by an exchange of Notes between the Spanish and British Governments of 1894, by virtue of which the products and manufactures of the United Kingdom enjoy the lower rates of the second column of the Spanish tariff as well as any reduction of those rates which may be granted by Spain to other European States by treaty. Negotiations are now in progress with the Spanish Government for the conclusion of a commercial treaty. It is not possible at this moment to forecast the date when such treaty may come into force.
§ Mr. SAMUELHow long has the discussion been going on; and has any complaint been received from those engaged in British trade as to the treatment of their trade by the Spanish authorities in the immediate past?
§ Earl WINTERTONI can imagine nothing less calculated to bring about a treaty than to raise such a question at the moment when a treaty is under negotiation.