§ Mr. ESSEXasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the French and German duties on imported wheat have, during the last 20 years, been totally suspended; if so, for what declared reason; and will he give quotations showing the extremes of variation in wheat prices in each such case during a period comprised within a date three months prior to such suspension of duty and a date two months after its reimposition?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am not aware that the duty on wheat imported into Germany has been suspended during the last 20 years, but the French import duty was suspended from 4th May to the end of June, 1898. The duty was suspended by virtue of powers vested by a law of 29th March. 1887, in the French Government to suspend the duty wholly or partially, when the Chambers are not in Session, if the price of bread rises to an extent menacing the feeding of the people. Taking the weekly average price of wheat in France for each week from the beginning of February to the end of August, 1898, it appears that the highest average price was reached in1624W the week ended 7th May, when it amounted to 31 francs 98 centimes per 100 kilogs., equivalent to 55s. 9d. per imperial quarter; and the lowest price in the week ended 27th August, when it amounted to 21 francs 30 centimes per 100 kilogs., equivalent to 37s. 1d. per quarter.