§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if the new tariffs against British goods of Germany, Russia, Austria Hungary and Italy, which came into force on the 1st March have increased the difficulty of access to those markets by British traders not establishing themselves within the tariff walls; and what 924 steps he is taking in the interests of British labour.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGENo new tariff has come into force in Italy, and recent changes in the Italian Customs duties have been of the nature of reductions. The new Russian, German and Austro-Hungarian tariffs are, on the whole, higher than those which they replace, but it is too early to make any statement as to their actual effect on British trade. I deprecate the suggestion in the Question that any of these tariffs is specially directed against British goods.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTWhat steps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI hope to be able to make a statement on this subject later on.