§ 55. Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSthe President of the Board of Trade if he will approach the Italian Government with a view to getting the duty on pilchards reduced?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMRepresentations were made in this matter in 1923, and resulted in a reduction of the import duty on pilchards from 6 gold lire to 4 gold lire per 100 kilogrammes. This reduced rate is, so far as I am aware, still in operation, and I do not consider that 1670 further representations in the matter would be likely to serve any useful purpose.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill not the right hon. Gentleman, at any rate, try to get this duty reduced, as it is a very heavy duty; and is there any definite reason why he will not try to help this very important industry?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe difficulty is that, before we can make another representation, there would require to be a stronger case than I am afraid exists on the facts; but I will readily look into the matter again.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONIs it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman's hands are tied by reason of the fact that he has no tariffs with which to bargain?