§ MR. JAMES HOPE (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to when the Commission engaged in considering the revision of the French tariff is likely to report; and whether it will be possible for the French Government to give effect to their recommendations by executive action in anticipation of the approval of the Chamber and Senate.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. J. A. PEASE,Saffron Walden; for Sir EDWARD GREY) Essex,The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative, but His Majesty's Embassy at Paris will, of course, keep us informed of the progress of the Committee's proceedings to the best of their power. My right hon. friend is informed that it would require Parliamentary legislation to raise or lower Customs duties. According to the latest information he has received, a very considerable time must elapse before the practical results of the inquiry now being conducted can be felt.