§ 5. Mr. E. SIMONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the serious view taken by the cotton trade of the danger that cotton goods from Alsace may be given preferential terms for importation into Germany after January next as against Lancashire goods; and whether he can give an assurance that, having regard to the loan which is to be made to Germany by this country, Germany will in return give to 491 Lancashire goods terms at least as favourable as those given to goods from Alsace?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Webb)I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. I am in touch with the cotton trade on this matter, which is engaging the earnest attention of His Majesty's Government. So far as I am aware, no arrangement has yet been reached between Germany and France regarding any preferential admission of Alsatian goods into Germany after the 10th January, 1925.
§ Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFTIs it not a fact, according to Lancashire opinion, that it is rather to the advantage of Lancashire than otherwise that there should be hostile barriers and differential duties?
§ Mr. WEBBI have heard that such opinions have been held with regard to certain branches of the industry. I must reserve my own opinion on that matter.
§ Major BARNETTIs there any real reason why we should not insist upon the most-favoured-nation terms before assenting to the German loan of £40,000,000?
§ Mr. WEBBI do not think this question has anything to do with the issue of the loan, which I hope is going on extremely satisfactorily.