§ MR. DUNN (Cornwall, Camborne)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Italian Government has recently imposed a duty of 6 lire per cask, 100 chilogrammi, on English pilchards; whether he is aware that Spanish pilchards are admitted into Italy free of duty, by virtue of the Italio-Spanish commercial treaty; and whether, seeing that our commercial treaty with Italy contains the most-favoured-nation clause, representations will be made to the Italian Government, with a view to the withdrawal of such duty.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.)Pilchards in brine of whatever origin are dutiable in Italy at the rate named in the Question. There is no commercial treaty, at present, between Italy and Spain, and no discrimination against English pilchards.