§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD ISLINGTON)My Lords, I beg to move the Second Reading of this Bill, and to ask your Lordships, if you are disposed to give it a Second Reading, to allow it to pass through its successive stages to-day. The object of the measure is to give effect to the Commercial Treaty with Portugal that has been recently signed. Under this Treaty, as your Lordships may know, we are for the first time entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment for our goods on importation into Portugal. Hitherto we have introduced those goods into Portugal at a distinct disability as compared to other countries. But contingent to our enjoying this favoured-nation treatment is an arrangement by which the 174 exportation from Portugal and the importation into this country of their wines should be brought upon a more favourable basis. Considerable negotiation took place with a view of getting a relief of duties, but those negotiations failed because it was found that there would be serious complaint by competitors in othercountries. Another basis, therefore, has been formed, by which all wine known as "port" will only be in future regarded as such if coming from the country of Portugal. That designation will be exclusive and confined to wine coming from Portugal for consumption in this country; and arrangements, of course, will be made for wine that has been in bond during the past twelve months. This Bill, as I say, is a complement of the Treaty, and as such has passed without amendment through the other House.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Islington.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.
§ Committee negatived: Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended) Bill read 3a, and passed.