§ 19. Major COLVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a communication from the Associations of British Chambers of Commerce protesting against the proposed tariff truce on the grounds that it would stabilise the handicaps under which British industry labours; and, if so, if he will undertake to have this view carefully examined before any such convention is signed?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As I have already explained to the association, however, the proposed tariff truce does not involve the stabilisation of existing duties, but contemplates that during the period of the truce these shall be treated as a maximum without prejudice to any action that may be taken for their reduction.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELHas the right hon. Gentleman any proof that his suggestion, good as it may be, has been received with any favour by those countries which are now continuously raising their tariffs against us?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe difficulties are very great indeed, but I still think that it is well worth while making this effort, and I have every reason to believe that from a very fair number of countries there will be at least a sympathetic response to the request that a conference of this kind should be held.
§ Mr. SAMUELI am not contesting the view of the right hon. Gentleman, but has he made representations with any result, to those countries that are continuously putting their tariffs up against us that they should, at any rate, stop until we have this consultation?
§ Mr. GRAHAMIn reply to recent questions in the House, I have informed hon. Members that, in cases where tariffs have been raised, the very fullest representations have been made.
§ Sir K. WOODIs it true that Australia and South Africa have refused to take part?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThere is a question dealing with that point a little later on the Paper.
§ Major COLVILLEWill the right hon. Gentleman take into very careful consideration representations made toy bodies such as the one I have mentioned, representing as they do trade and industry all over the country?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes; the House knows that I have received a very large number of representations, and I can say with a fair measure of truth that I read them all very carefully.
§ 46. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that India, Australia and South Africa have refused to take part in the Tariff Truce-Conference at Geneva, whether the Government will endeavour to postpone the consideration of those proposals until after the Imperial Conference has been held?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI have been asked to-take this question. The answer is that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are not prepared to adopt the-suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Sir K. WOODIs it true, as stated in the question, that India, Australia, and South Africa have refused to taker part in the Conference?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI understand that so far that is the position.
§ Mr. LESLIE BOYCEIn view of the great importance of co-operating with the Dominions and India in order to-develop the trade of the Empire, and particularly in view of the coming Economic Conference, does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it advisable for the Empire as a whole to enter into this, truce or not at all?
§ Mr. GRAHAMWe shall do everything in our power to encourage Empire trade, but it would be quite impossible to hold up a conference of this kind merely because one or two refusals have been received.
§ Mr. BOYCEWould it not be possible in that case to expedite the Imperial Economic Conference, seeing that we are initiating these proceedings which are intended to lead up to a truce?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat is a very large question, and it is not one into which I can go now.
§ Lord EUSTACE PERCYAre we to understand that no consultation took place with the Dominions before the Government proposed this tariff truce?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI think the Noble Lord would be in error in taking that view, but I would much rather questions on that point were directed to the Dominions Office.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the Government. see that this question comes before Parliament in the form of a Resolution before confirming anything done at the Tariff Truce Conference?
§ Mr. GRAHAMAs I have already indicated, if any kind of agreement is reached that would form the basis of a Convention, there will be abundant opportunity for discussion before ratification by this Chamber.