HC Deb 06 May 1895 vol 33 cc523-4
COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has received any communication from the Foreign Office as to the contemplated increase of some of the duties levied by Belgium on sundry articles of British manufacture; and, what action is being taken in the matter?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. J. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, W.

A memorandum furnished by Her Majesty's Minister at Brussels respecting the proposed changes in Customs and other duties in Belgium has been received by the Board of Trade, and will be found on page 428 of the April number of the Board of Trade Journal. A comparative statement of the proposed changes, which is to be published in the following number of the Journal, will show that there are many reductions, as well as increases, in the Duties, as well as an abolition of the light dues. No action is being taken in the matter.

COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

Will the right hon. Member take action in those cases in which there is an increase; of British manufactures?

MR. BRYCE

It is not for the Board of Trade to take action in such matters, but for the Foreign Office.

COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT

Will the President of the Board of Trade undertake to induce the Foreign Office to move in the matter?

MR. BRYCE

I could not undertake to do that without ascertaining first whether there would be any likelihood of such action being attended with success.