§ 8. Mr. LUMLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the negotiations with the Portuguese Government over their flag discrimination decree?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI understand that the Commission appointed by the Portuguese Government to examine the question of shipping charges has made its report, and that it is understood that a new decree may be issued by the Portuguese Government shortly. The decree, when issued, will be examined with a view to seeing how far it meets the joint representations which have been made to the Portuguese Government.
Lieut.-Colonel LAMBERT WARDIn the event of the reply not being satisfactory, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of denouncing the various trading advantages which the Portuguese enjoy in this country?
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is able
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe answer has been prepared in tabular form; and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the statistics:
§ The following table shows the values of the imports, re-exports and imports retained in the United Kingdom of carpets and rugs of wool and of jute during the periods January to October, 1926 and 1927:
§ to obtain information now as to what the effect of the decree is going to be?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI cannot obtain information as to what is in gestation in the mind of a foreign Government. As soon as the decree is published, I shall have notice of it.
§ Mr. LUMLEYHas the right hon. Gentleman any indication as to what the text of the decree will be?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTEROur Ambassador will have the earliest possible information.