MR. WHITE RIDLEY (Stalybridge)To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the Tariff Bill now being introduced by the Government of Portugal, which proposes largely to increase the import duties on cotton and mercerised goods; and whether, in view of the importance of this question to Lancashire exporters, the British Government have any means, by commercial treaty or otherwise, of bringing pressure to bear on the Portuguese Government with a view of modifying the proposed tariff.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) My attention has been directed to the Portuguese Tariff Bill referred to by my hon. friend. At present no commercial treaty exists between this country and Portugal, but the matter has been the subject of representations to the Portuguese Government.