§ Mr. HAMILTON BENNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention had been called to the new Japanese tariff which has passed the House of Representatives and will come into operation next year; and, seeing the prohibitive character of many of the new duties, especially affecting Lancashire and Yorkshire goods, what representations he proposes to make to secure fair treatment for British trade?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second it is not possible to say at present what 6 representations it may be ultimately found necessary to address to the Japanese Government pending a consideration of the matter by the Board of Trade, who are in communication with the Chambers of Commerce on the subject, and will consult their Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence with regard to it when they learn the views of the Chambers.
Sir GILBERT PARKERHave the Board of Trade taken into consideration the possibility of putting a tax upon the cheap Japanese goods now sent into the Midlands and underselling British goods?
§ Mr. PETOIn view of the Home Secretary's declaration as to retaliation by the French Government, does the Government propose to impose any duties on Japanese silk and porcelain?