§ Mr. COOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade if Messrs. A. and F. Pears made any application to the Government to assist them in combating the heavy duty levied by the United States on their products; was such application granted; and, if so, what was the reason why no reduction of such duty was secured?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe only representations made by the firm of which the Board of Trade have knowledge were made to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, and were directed against a proposed increase of the duty on soap under the last United States Tariff Bill. These were conveyed to the United States Government. The duty was eventually fixed at an ad valorem rate, which is understood to be appreciably less than the specific rate originally proposed.
§ Mr. LYELLMay I ask whether the imposition of a tariff in this country would have had any effect on the power of Messrs. A. and F. Pears to sell their articles profitably in the United States, and—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should give notice of that question.