§ 103. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement as to the attitude of the Government towards the new Egyptian Customs tariff; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure modifications in the tariff in the interests of British trade?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)His Majesty's Government 1369 have notified the Egyptian Government that they accept the new tariff, but they have drawn the attention of the Egyptian Government to a few items of the tariff which appear to call for reconsideration. The tariff is provisional in character, and further suggestions for its amendment will be made to the Egyptian Government if experience of its working show such action to be desirable.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEDoes the hon. Gentleman think, in regard to this and other very high tariffs, that the question of a tariff truce is going to be to the advantage of manufacturers in this country?
§ Mr. HANNONWill the hon. Gentleman say how we can deal with questions of this kind with the fiscal policy that at present obtains in this country?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe subject seems to me to be too large a one to be debated by question and answer, but the policy is the same as that which the last Government was following out.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECould not the hon. Gentleman in his official and responsible position give us his own opinion?
§ Lord EUSTACE PERCYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, ever since this Government came into office, there has been a steady worsening of British trade with Egypt?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am not aware of that fact.