HC Deb 05 July 1928 vol 219 cc1576-7
67. Mr. WELLOCK

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Tariffs Convention of the League of Nations has resulted in any lowering of tariffs or in an increase of most-favoured-nations treaties?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

No Convention relating to tariffs has been framed by the League of Nations. The Economic Consultative Committee of the League reporting in May upon the results of the World Economic; Conference of the previous year, stated that the effect had been to check substantially the upward movement of tariffs which was in full swing a year ago. The Report continues: It is true that in certain cases the preparations which at this time last year wore already being made for raising tariffs have been in part carried into effect…but even in these cases the actual rates which are in force to-day are in general much less than those which were then proposed. As regards treaty negotiations, the Consultative Committee reported on a number of treaties concluded during the 12 months, and expressed their gratification that the treaties concluded since the Conference embodied the unconditional most-favoured-nation clause.