HC Deb 05 April 1928 vol 215 cc2135-6
34. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further report to make on the flag discrimination by the Portuguese Government, which amounts to a 10 per cent. rebate on duties on goods carried in Portuguese vessels; if he is in a position to say if there is a likelihood of this discrimination against British vessels being removed, together with any reduction in the import duty on edible oils amounting to a rate of £25 a ton, both of which are a handicap on the shipping and trade of the port of Hull in particular; and whether he will state what action His Majesty's Government are taking, or intend to take, in the matter?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker- Lampson)

His Majesty's Government arc continuing to make representations to the Portuguese Government in regard to flag discrimination. Although the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs assured His Majesty's Ambassador in January that a decree would shortly appear abolishing all flag discrimination of any kind in Portugal and the Portuguese Dominions, I regret that no such decree has been issued.

As regards the Portuguese duties on edible oils, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which was given on the 6th of July last to a question on the subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver).

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Can the hon. Gentleman say if the question of duties on edible oils is being pursued by his Department?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Oh, yes; it is being pursued in connection with the other question and we are doing our best.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Does my hon. Friend not think that the best way of getting the duty taken off white oils is to threaten a higher duty on Portuguese port?

Mr. SAKLATVALA

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the Portuguese Government are entitled to safeguard their commerce and industry?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

We are not making these representations on any treaty grounds. They are representations with a view to inducing the Portuguese Government to lower the existing discrimination.

Mr. SAKLATVALA

Then will the British Government be prepared to listen to the same persuasion against their safeguarding policy coming from foreign countries?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

No.