§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will explain why, in the official communication to the effect that reductions on the new general tariff of Roumania had been obtained by the United Kingdom in respect to various articles, no information was given to British traders of the fact that the new conventional duties on those articles are in nearly every case higher than the old conventional duties; and whether he will take steps to acquaint British traders with the actual changes in the new as compared with the old conventional duties which have taken place.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEThe object of the notice referred to by the hon. Member was to state what concessions had been obtained by negotiations with Roumania
† See (4) Debates, cliv., 626.1263 as compared with the new general tariff rates. A comparison of the new general Roumanian tariff with the old tariff rates was circulated to Chambers of Commerce by the Board of Trade some time previously. When the new conventional tariff assumes its final shape by the completion of the new series of Roumanian treaties, it is proposed to publish a comparative return on the lines of Cd. 2414 of 1905 relating to the German tariff.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKERWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect the return will be ready—by Easter?
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI cannot say at present.