§ 57. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any clause in the General Act of Berlin which precludes France and Belgium from imposing a differential export tax upon the raw produce of the Congo Basin exported to Great Britain and other signatories to that instrument, and, conversely, of British Nigerian products to territories other than British?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe General Act of Berlin prohibits the grant of any 31 monopoly or commercial privilege of any kind by the Powers exercising rights of sovereignty in the conventional Basin of the Congo. The answer to the first part of the question is, therefore, in the affirmative. So far as Nigeria is concerned, the Berlin Act deals only with the navigation of the Niger, and makes no mention of export and inport duties.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the hon. Gentleman say whether, in equity, we shall put a differential export tax upon our own raw materials exported to these countries?
Mr. HARMSWORTHIt is rather a technical matter, and perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will give me notice.