§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER(by Private Notice) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the German Government have made representations to the effect that the policy of safeguarding of industries adopted by His Majesty's Government is likely to interfere with the most-favoured-nation clauses of the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty, and, if so, what answer has been made to their representations?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe duties contemplated under the new safeguarding proposals of His Majesty's Government are duties applied equally to imports from all foreign countries, and are, therefore, in strict conformity with the most-favoured-nation clause of the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty. The German Government have, however, raised the question of the hearing of the Protocol to that Treaty on duties of this character. In reply His Majesty's Government have called attention to the fact that the. Protocol reserves to both parties the right to take appropriate measures to preserve their own industries.
§ Mr. ALEXANDERMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, as a result of this difference of opinion, which was urged by the German Government, there has been delay in making the Treaty operative for the development of Trade?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, absolutely none.