§ MR. PLATT-HIGGINS (Salford, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade if he will state what were the valuable concessions in the tariffs of the 28 French, German, and Italian Governments which induced the President of the United States to admit certain French, German, and Italian articles of produce at a lower scale of duties than is levied upon the same articles when made in this country; if he will state what were the duties, if any, levied by this country upon the articles of American produce set out in the Reciprocity Treaties made by the United States with the French, German, and Italian Governments; and if he can hold out any prospect of this country obtaining the advantages of the most-favoured-nation clause from the United States Government under present conditions.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BONAR LAW, Glasgow, Black-friars)The concessions referred to are embodied in the commercial agreements between the countries referred to, which the hon. Member can consult at the Board of Trade. All the articles of American produce on which concessions are granted under these agreements are admitted free into the United Kingdom, except certain classes of dried fruits which are dutiable at the rate of 7s. per cwt. I am not in a position to answer the last part of the Question.