§ Mr. B. SAMUELSONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is able to give any information as to the progress of the negotiations with France in reference to a Commercial Treaty?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the negotiations with France for a new Commercial Tariff are at an end; if he could inform the House whether the failure in negotiations has occurred because the French insist on imposing specific Duties on certain classes of cottons and woollens, which are distinctly higher, on the average, than the ad valorem Duties paid under the present Conventional Tariff; and, whether any arrangement has been made which will secure to English exports to France the "most favoured nation" treatment?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, I will answer along with these Questions one of which private Notice has been given by the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. Monk). Generally speaking, the statements which have appeared in the newspapers are substantially correct, with one exception. Some newspapers have assumed that, supposing the Bill before the French Chamber should become law, the country would be under some new Tariff from next Wednesday. That is not the case; there would be a virtual prolongation of the existing Treaty up to the 15th of May. In reply to the hon. Member for Bolton (Mr. J. K. Cross), I have to say that the negotiations for a Tariff Treaty are at an end. To his second Question I reply in the affirmative. At least, such is our contention; the French negotiators take a different view. A Bill to give England "Most Favoured Nation "treatment has been introduced and declared urgent.
§ MR. B. SAMUELSONasked, Whether or not England had given any equivalent for the Bill before the French Chambers?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKENo, Sir. The form which the Bill has now taken shows that it is a voluntary act on the part of France, unaccompanied by any engagement on the part of this 1530 country. As my hon. Friend is aware, great difficulties were found in making any engagement on the part of this country.
§ MR. RITCHIEasked the hon. Baronet to state roughly what were the duties which the '' Most Favoured Nation" Treaty would make upon British goods?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, it is quite impossible for me within reasonable limits to give an answer, even supposing I were in possession of the facts—even supposing I knew that the Treaties already signed by France would be ratified before the 15th of May. It is, of course, open to doubt whether some of these Treaties will be ratified. The Dutch Treaty has already been rejected by the Dutch Legislature, and it is possible that some of the other Treaties already signed may be rejected by one or other of the Legislatures. Therefore it is impossible to make a reply to the Question.
MR. STAVELEY HILLIf the Bill should not pass the French Legislative Assembly, upon what footing will the commercial relations between France and this country stand after Tuesday next?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEIf the Bill is rejected by the French Chambers English goods will pass into France under the general Tariff of that country, and there will be no engagement on the part of England.
§ MR. MACIVERasked, whether the "Most Favoured Nation" Clause was not in the existing Treaty, and if it did not, as a matter of fact, fail to secure equal treatment? He wanted to know whether certain importations into France viâ ports in Great Britain and Ireland were not, by means of a surtaxe d'entrepôt, placed at special disadvantage, as compared with importations direct. The hon. Member—[Cries of "Order!" and "Notice!"]
§ MR. SPEAKERI beg to remind the hon. Member that if the hon. Baronet desires that Notice should be given, he should comply with that request.
§ MR. MACIVERsaid, that he would put his Question on the Paper for Thursday next.
MR. JOSEPH COWENsaid, he did not wish to cross-examine the hon. Baronet; but it would be useful informa- 1531 tion if the House could have, not only the General Tariff, but also the "Most Favoured Nation" Tariff, so that it might be seen what advantages the country would really get. He understood the "Most Favoured Nation" Clause would be, in some instances, detrimental to the interests of this country.
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, obviously the "Most Favoured Nation" Clause will not be detrimental as compared with the General Tariff. Everything arranged for by treaty is in the nature of a reduction upon the General Tariff. We have in preparation documents that show exactly the bearing of the "Most Favoured Nation" Clause. The Treaty between France and Switzerland was signed only yesterday. We have the Belgian and Swedish figures in our possession; but there is a risk of the rejection of the Treaties by the French Legislature, and we wish any document we issue to be as accurate as possible. It will probably be ready before the end of next week.
§ MR. B. SAMUELSONwished to ask whether the Treaties between France and Belgium, as regarded articles of trade between England and France, had been ratified by the Belgium and French Chambers?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, the Belgian Treaty has been sanctioned by both Houses of the Belgian Legislature, but it has not yet passed the French Senate.