§ MR. HOUSTONTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his Department has received a Report from the English Consul at Rome giving information as to inquiries which the Italian Government were making in various countries for a number of locomotives, the conditions under which the various manufacturers were tendering, and the assistance which the German Government was giving to German makers to enable them to compete with English makers; and if he will state what that assistance is.
§ MR. HOUSTONI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the bounty or bonus paid to German manufacturers by the German Government on locomotives made in Germany for exportation to foreign countries; and what sum it would represent on a locomotive of eighty tons weight.
§ MR. KEARLEYIn answer to this and a Question addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by the hon. Member,† I may say that certain information has reached the Foreign Office to the effect stated, but that on inquiry at Berlin we are assured that no bounty is given by the German Government on the export of locomotives.
§ MR. HOUSTONMy information is to the contrary.