§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take against the proposed increase of the Belgian duties 1585 upon biscuits, hosiery, hardware, watches, cotton tissues, carpets, woollen shawls, and scarves, waxed cloth, and kindred specialities of British trade and labour, as detailed in the May number of The Board of Trade Journal, and which increases are declared to have been not only approved but even added to by the Central Section of the Second Chamber in Brussels?
§ MR BRYCEI have conferred with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the subject, and in our opinion it would not be to the advantage of British trade that any official representation should be addressed to the Belgian Government at this moment. The proposed changes are now before the Belgian Chambers, with whom the decision with regard to them rests.
§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENTThen am I to understand that nothing whatever is to be done when a foreign Government makes a tariff against British goods? [Cries of "Order."] I ask the President of the Board of Trade is nothing whatever to be done?
§ MR. BRYCEThe hon. Member will not be correct in understanding that nothing is to be done or is being done. I have answered the question on the Paper.