§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of Board of Trade if he can enumerate the British firms who have been compelled by foreign import duties to open works in foreign countries so as to obtain continued access to the foreign market; and if the goods they there manufacture have access to the British market without payment of a toll to the labour displaced by their migration over the sea.
MR. LLOYD-GEOREI am not in a position to give the reasons which have actuated firms, whether British, American or German, in opening works in foreign countries. The goods manufactured in such works are admitted to the United Kingdom on the same terms as any similar articles imported from abroad.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEAmerian and German firms establish their business abroad exactly as our firms do.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTThe right hon. Gentleman is not President of the Board of Trade for America or Germany but for this country. Has the right hon. Gentlemen no list at the Board of Trade of the firms in this country who have established their works in Germany, France, Russia, and other foreign countries in consequence of protective tariffs?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEYes, I have one in my pocket now, and I will show it behind the Speaker's chair to the hon. Member after Questions.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTBut why not give it to the House now? Why should I be preferentially treated or have preferential right of access?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI thought that my hon. friend was a believer in preference.