Mr. CHIOZZA-MONEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the United States of America now enjoys all the minimum duties of the French tariff which we enjoy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAll the products and manufactures of the United Kingdom are admitted into France at the rates of duty of the "Minimum Tariff." The products of the United States of America receive the minimum tariff rates on certain specified goods, of which I shall be happy to furnish a list to my hon. Friend if he so desires. Upon the rest a higher scale of duty is enforced than upon the corresponding products of the United Kingdom.
Mr. CHIOZZA-MONEYAre we to understand that the United States has been unable, by negotiations, to gain from the French as favourable terms as we have?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat would appear to be the result.
Mr. CHIOZZA-MONEYasked the President of the Board of Trade if the details of the proposed new French customs tariff show that it is directed against imports not only from this country, but from Germany, America, and other protectionist nations; whether he has yet received any evidence that protectionist countries are exercising any greater power in the decisions of the French Government in this matter than this country; and if he will state whether it is possible for Germany to secure from France a reduction of the proposed new iron and steel duties without our sharing in that reduction by virtue of the most-favoured-nation clause?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe report of the Customs Commission of the French Chamber of Deputies which contains the new tariff proposals does not indicate that these proposals are directed especially against imports from any particular country. The report states, however, that the modification of the existing tariff has been rendered necessary by recent tariff changes in other European countries. I am not in a position to say how far the French Government may be influenced by representations from protectionist countries towards a modification of these proposals, but I know of no ground for thinking that such representations will receive greater consideration than will be accorded to the views of traders in this country. Full most-favoured-nation treatment in tariff matters is at present accorded by France to the products and manufactures of the United Kingdom. I have every reason to suppose that this country will continue to receive such treatment in the future, and will consequently enjoy the benefit of any reductions of duty, whether on iron and steel or on any other commodity which may be accorded to any third country.
§ Mr. COCHRANEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence have had under their consideration the proposed new French tariff; and, if so, whether he will arrange to have their recommendations published?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence have had before them a summary of the opinions expressed by the principal Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations with regard to the effect of the proposals put forward by the French Customs Commission. The proceedings of the Advisory Committee are confidential, and I do not think it desirable to publish the nature of their deliberations.
Mr. CHIOZZA-MONEYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he would state what is the amount of the duty payable in France upon the importation of British locomotives and American locomotives respectively?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLLocomotives of ordinary gauge built in the United Kingdom, are dutiable on importation into France at the rate of 15 francs per 100 kilogrammes, the rate of duty on narrow gauge locomotives being 18 francs per 100 kilogrammes. The corresponding rates on locomotives built in the United States are 20 francs and 24 francs per 100 kilogrammes respectively.