§ Sir W. SEAGERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the new Portuguese Shipping Bill large reductions of duties are to be made on all goods imported and exported in Portuguese vessels; that all duties, charges, licences, despatches, and taxes to which vessels are subjected in national ports would be paid in Portuguese currency when relating to Portuguese vessels, but when relating to foreign shipping would be paid in sterling at par, thus involving payment of duties, &c, by British shipowners 10 or 11 times as heavy as those hitherto charged, while the former charges would continue to be paid by Portuguese shipowners; and what action is being taken to obviate the discrimination against British shipping involved in the proposals?
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§ Mr. BALDWINI am aware of the provisions of the Bill, and have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who has, I understand, instructed His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon to approach the Portuguese Government.