§ MR. MATHER (Lancashire, S.E., Gorton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Commercial Treaty between this country and Spain will expire on the 30th June, Her Majesty's Government have reason to believe that the Treaty will be prolonged, or replaced by another securing the same most favoured nation treatment for British goods imported into Cuba in the future as that existing in the past; and whether other nations, notably the United States of America and France, have secured Commercial Treaties with Spain which will give to those countries in the future the advantage of most favoured nation treatment?
MR. J. W. LOWTHERNegotiations were recently commenced for the conclusion of a Commercial Convention with Spain, but they are temporarily suspended. Spain has, so far, not been willing to grant the United Kingdom most favoured nation treatment, or to prolong the existing Convention. The United States and Spain have concluded an arrangement as regards trade between the United States and the Spanish Antilles. A temporary arrangement has been concluded between France and Spain, whereby France gives to Spain her minimum tariff, and Spain gives to France in Spain and in her Colonies her conventional tariff, that enjoyed by England up to the 1st July. After that date the two countries exchange their minimum tariffs until a permanent Treaty shall have been concluded.
§ MR. MATHERWill Great Britain be in a less favourable position as regards Spain after the 30th June, than that which she occupies at the present time?
MR. LOWTHERYes, Sir, Great Britain will be in a less favourable position after the 1st July, the new Spanish minimum tariff being considerably higher than the present conventional tariff.
§ MR. MATHERWhat are the chief difficulties in the way of getting Spain to continue the Convention in the future?
MR. LOWTHERThere are no difficulties on the part of Her Majesty's Government; the difficulties are on the part of the Spanish Government.