§ 9. Commander BELLAIRSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it is not possible for the United States of America to enter into any agreement for a tariff truce under the constitution, as the tariff belongs exclusively to Congress and the executive has no initiative in the matter: and whether he will provide that any agreement reached by the Tariff Truce Congress is made conditional upon its being given effect to by the American Congress?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe United States Government are not taking part in the Tariff Truce Conference. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ 12 Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government's proposals at the forthcoming International Conference for a tariff truce involve the retention by countries whose home industries are already protected by tariff walls of their existing tariffs, while other countries with low or no tariff walls will be prevented from increasing their tariffs to a like height with their foreign competitors?
§ Mr. GILLETTWhile the tariff truce, if carried into effect, would undoubtedly limit the right of all participating countries to increase protective tariffs it would not preclude the lowering of these tariffs, and as explained by my right hon. Friend on 17th December, in reply to the hon. Member, it is in fact designed as a preliminary to concerted international action for reducing them.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs it not an extraordinary thing for a British Government to tie its hands in the matter of securing even parity with our trade rivals?
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask the hon. Gentleman to give a considered answer to this question. Is this a deliberate attempt on the part of the Socialist Government to cripple the industries of this country for all time?
§ 47. Mr. DOUGLAS HACKINGasked the Prime Minister if he is yet in a position to state whether the approval of both Houses of Parliament will be obtained before this country is committed to a tariff truce?
Mr. SNOWDENPapers will be laid in both Houses, but the Government will be guided by the opinion of the House of Commons.
§ Mr. HACKINGCan the right Eon. Gentleman say if the future constitution of this country is to leave out all consideration of the House of Lords?
Mr. SNOWDENThe hon. Member is evidently not aware that responsibility for financial matters rests with the House of Commons.
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEMay I ask whether the expression "the House of Commons" embodies Parliament in the usual acceptation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a different matter.
§ Commander BELLAIRSDoes the right hon. Gentleman seriously suggest that his successors are going to be bound by a tariff truce with 20 European nations when it has not been approved by both Houses of Parliament?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for argument.