§ 9. Mr. TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the Bill introduced by the Government into the French Chamber of Deputies on 3rd March last, under which prohibitive increases in French tariffs are proposed; whether he is aware that in some cases the increases in tariffs on the import of machinery, and particularly oil engines, amount to an increase of 200 to 500 per cent; and what steps are being taken by his Department to protect the interests of British manufacturers?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERA translation of the French Tariff Bill will be published immediately in the Board f Trade Journal (the first instalment appearing on Thursday next), and as soon as the views of British traders regarding the proposals are available, I will consider whether any action can usefully be taken by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is information which has already been circulated to the French deputies and that it involves, in the case of a 50 h.p. oil engine, an increase of tax from £51 to £212, and will he see that his Department takes energetic action?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am taking precisely the kind of action the Department can take, namely, as soon as information is available, to publish it and consult the manufacturers who are likely to be affected.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSWill anything be effective other than a threat of retaliation?