§ 52. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any further statement with regard to the proposed alteration in the Spanish tariff on manila rope and other ropes manufactured in England to the detriment of British manufacturers and merchants?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSOn the general question of the Spanish tariff revision I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade yesterday to the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) a copy of which I am sending him. Manila and other ropes were included amongst the articles of importance to British trade to which His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid has drawn the special attention of the Spanish Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) referred to steel products, and, further, that those engaged in, the trade in ropes have quite 2119 different information from that given by the Department, which would appear to be not fully informed?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSI am not aware that steel was specifically referred to in the answer to which I made reference. It covers the general point.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the hon. Gentleman look into the matter, in view of the information that has been sent to the Department by the manufacturers engaged in the trade?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSThe Department is constantly engaged, and I think successfully, in looking into the matter.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs the Government considering reminding Spain that there are over 5,000,000 pounds worth of oranges imported annually from Spain into this country?