§ MR. LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Convention has been signed by the Governments of Spain and France, under which France is to receive the "most favoured nation" treatment until 1st July, and afterwards to be charged the lowest duties of the Spanish tariff; and whether any efforts are being made to 49 obtain a similar Convention between the Governments of Spain and of the United Kingdom?
MR. J. W. LOWTHERThe Foreign Office has been informed that a provisional agreement has been concluded between the Governments of Trance and of Spain. France will give her minimum tariff to Spain in exchange for the Spanish conventional tariff which is in force for Treaty Powers until 1st July. This agreement it is undertood will only last until 1st July. As Her Majesty's Government enjoy the present Spanish conventional tariff until 1st July, French trade will not be placed in a more favourable position than British by this arrangement.
MR. LOWTHERI have informed the hon. Gentleman before that negotiations are going on with the Spanish Government with a view to the extension of the Commercial Treaty, but at present I am not able to give the hon. Member any further information.