§ MR. HILLS (Durham)To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the French-Canadian Treaty comes into 171 operation; whether Switzerland and other countries having most-favoured-nation treaties with Canada receive the benefit of the tariff reductions granted to France; whether the reduced tariff applies only to goods either shipped direct from French to Canadian ports, or which if they touch at a British port do so without breaking bulk; and will French goods re-exported from British ports also obtain the benefit of the reductions.
(Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.) The Convention in question will come into force as soon as ratifications are exchanged. Countries entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment will receive the benefit of the tariff reductions granted to France on conditions similar to those imposed upon that country. I am not in a position to give further information at present.