§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the McKinley Tariff Law is still in force in the United States, and if under it preferential or reciprocity agreements exist with any other, and, if so, with what Governments; and if these preferential or reciprocity treaties deprive the United States Government of most-favoured-nation treatment in other countries; and, further, if he has any reports showing their effect upon the export trade of America with the United Kingdom or other foreign nations.
(Answered by Lord Cranborne.) The answer to the first Question is in the negative. The present Customs Law is that of 24th July, 1897, and is known as the Dingley Tariff. Under this law reciprocity agreements have been concluded with France, Germany, Portugal, and Italy. The answer to the fourth Question is, so far as I am aware, in the negative. We have no reports on the point mentioned in the last Question.