HC Deb 21 January 1930 vol 234 c7
10. Mr. HURD

asked the President of the Board of Trade if steps will be taken to ensure that in the renewal of the Anglo-German commercial treaty provision is made to prevent export bounties or their equivalent on German wheat sent to Great Britain?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

The treaty does not require renewal, but remains in force continuously unless or until either party gives notice of its intention to terminate it, in which event one year's notice is required. So far as I am aware, there is no immediate prospect of any such denunciation, and the hon. Member's question therefore does not arise.

Mr. HURD

Seeing that his colleagues in the Government have declared this to be most unfair competition, will the right hon. Gentleman intimate to Germany that it is difficult to retain this Treaty, to continue it, if this unfair competition continues?

Mr. GRAHAM

No. I am quite willing to consider the general question with my colleagues, but I cannot give an undertaking at this Box to intervene in a way that would lead up to the denunciation of the Treaty.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Does not the right hon. Gentleman really mean that, as usual, the Government intend to do absolutely nothing for British industry?

Mr. GRAHAM

No, Sir.