§ 37. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increased duties which will be imposed on lace and lace net by the new tariff proposals of the United States of America; and whether, in view of the damage this will do to our trade, he has made any representations on the subject?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI have received information from unofficial sources that certain proposals for an increase of the United States import duties on lace and lace net have been adopted by the Senate. I understand that some American interests are taking steps to endeavour to counter these proposals. I fear that no useful purpose would be served by representations by His Majesty's Government to the United States Government.
§ Sir HENRY BETTERTONIn view of the very serious situation disclosed by the right hon. Gentleman's answer, will he make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to review his policy with regard to the lapse of the Safeguarding Duties?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI can only say that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor is familiar with every aspect of this controversy.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the duties have been increased in some cases by 40 or 50 per cent. and in some cases the duties amount to as much as 140 per cent. ad valorem, and will he not reconsider whether it is possible to take some steps to help our trade?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI do not dispute that these increases, so far as I have seen them, are heavy, and I will give further consideration to this matter, but I am afraid I must repeat that I could not promise to make representations to the Government of the United States.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERHas not an entirely new situation arisen, the result of which must be that those French goods which have hitherto gone to the United States will now come in increasing quantities to this market?