THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Earl of ROSEBERY)My Lords, I have much satisfaction in informing you that the negotiations conducted by Her Majesty's Government since their accession to Office with the Spanish Government through Sir Clare Ford, Her Majesty's Minister at Madrid, have resulted in the signature of a Convention, April 26, which Her Majesty's Government trust will place the commercial relations between Great Britain and Spain on a greatly improved footing. The main provisions of the Instrument are as follows:—Spain grants to British produce and manufactures through all her Dominions complete most favoured nation treatment in all that relates to trade and navigation. Her Majesty's Government, on their part, in addition to the continuance of most favoured nation treatment to Spain, engage to apply to Parliament for the necessary authority to provide that the limit of the lower half of the alcoholic scale of Wine Duties shall extend up to but not exceed 30 degrees of proof spirit. The Spanish Government grants specifically to British trade the benefits of all the stipulations contained in the Treaty of 1882 with France and the Treaty of 1883 with Germany. The tariff provisions of these Treaties will benefit many of the most important British industries. The Convention will remain in force until the year 1892 certain, and is capable of indefinite prolongation. The text of the Convention will be presented in a very few days. The sanction of the Spanish 551 Cortes, as well as of our own Parliament, is required in order to bring the Convention into effect; but it is hoped that no difficulty will be encountered in obtaining an assent which is so manifestly to the benefit of both countries, and which will doubtless strengthen the cordial relations which now so happily exist between the two Crowns and peoples. I cannot conclude without bearing witness to the ability which has been shown by Sir Clare Ford in the conduct of these negotiations; and I may add that his task has been considerably lightened by the goodwill of Senor Moret, the Spanish Minister of State, who, while upholding the commercial interests of his own country, has, as far as possible, met the wishes of Her Majesty's Government with fairness and consideration.