§ 19. Sir W. de FRECEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his Department possesses any information showing the tendency on the part of Foreign Powers to close their countries, in the interests of exchange, against foreign imports; and whether, if such cases exist, the Foreign Office possesses any power to make representations to protect British exports?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Viscount Wolmer)I have been asked to answer this question. Several European countries have made a practice of restricting the importation of foreign goods for exchange reasons by controlling either the import of commodities which are regarded more or less as luxuries or the purchase of foreign exchange for making payments for such goods. The tendency recently has on the whole been towards a relaxation of such measures. In cases where measures of this kind cause serious hardship to British trade, it is the practice of His Majesty's Government to take such action as may be possible to safeguard British interests.
§ Captain BERKELEYHave any representations been made to the Secession States in Central Europe for the specific purpose of obtaining a lowering of the tariff walls that exist?
§ Mr. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that question.