§ Mr. JAMES HOPEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to the effect that under the new Japanese tariff it is proposed to raise the Customs duties on steel ingots, blooms, and billets from 2s. 10½d. to 17s. 3d. per ton, on bars and rods from 9s. to 20s. 7d. per ton, and on unspecified manufactured goods from 30 to 40 per cent. ad valorem; and whether His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio has made any representations to the Japanese Government on the subject?
Mr. BUXTONThere are some minor differences of description as between the existing and the proposed new Japanese 1056 tariff in the case of the articles referred to by the hon. Member, but the effect of the proposals is substantial indicated in the question. The whole question of the nature of the communications to be made to the Japanese Government in regard to the proposed tariff is now under consideration.