HC Deb 01 July 1930 vol 240 c1753
8. Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any of the following countries, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary Italy, Luxemburg, Rumania, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia, have from 1st July ceased to be parties to the ratification of the Geneva Convention of imports and exports prohibition and restriction, to which Great Britain is a party?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

Of the countries named all made their ratification subject to conditions which have not been fulfilled. Denmark has, however, waived the conditions and will therefore remain bound by the Convention. So far as I am aware at present this course has not been followed by any of the other countries specified.

Mr. SAMUEL

In view of the fact that only Denmark is willing to carry out ratification, and in view of this very discouraging development, will the right hon. Gentleman bring to the notice of these countries his proposals for a tariff truce at Geneva?

Mr. GRAHAM

The truce is not before us. This relates to the Imports and Exports Prohibition Convention, and that is not quite as my hon. Friend describes it. A certain number of countries remain bound as we are until June next year.

Mr. SAMUEL

But the action of these countries is very discouraging, I should think, to the right hon. Gentleman.