§ 49. Mr. MANDERasked the Prime Minister whether it remains the policy of 1615 the Government to pursue a policy of freer trade between all nations in the world?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham)I have been asked to reply. It is certainly part of the policy of His Majesty's Government to do everything in their power to secure a reduction in trade barriers, and it was in pursuance of that policy that at the last meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations I put forward a proposal for a conference early next year to examine the possibility of concluding a tariff truce with a view to subsequent negotiations leading to reduced duties.
§ Mr. MANDERAm I to understand that the Government are not in sympathy with the latest food taxing crusade?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThere is no doubt that not only on our side but also, I think, in all parts of the House there is opposition to anything resembling food taxes.
§ Colonel GRETTONDoes not a tariff truce mean the maintenance of existing tariffs?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo, that is exactly what it does not mean. It means if we secure agreement under a convention of this kind that at all events the existing tariffs will not be increased, but I made it perfectly plain that the whole object is, within that framework, to press for an agreement for the reduction of tariffs.
§ Mr. BRACKENDoes not the right hon. Gentleman entirely oppose the subsidising of dumping coal abroad?