79. Sir GEORGE HAMILTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the proposal that the Government of the Union of South Africa shall place a duty of not less than 4s. per pair on imported footwear, he will say what steps he will recommend to the Geneva Tariff Conference to prevent this increase of tariff?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI understand that His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa have approved a proposal to impose a minimum specific duty of 3s. 6d. per pair on women's shoes, other than rubber shoes and other than shoes whose uppers are wholly or mainly of leather or canvas. The Union Government did not participate in the Geneva negotiations.
§ Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEMay I ask whether these very important questions are going to be discussed at the Imperial Economic Conference?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI could not make any statement about that at this stage.
§ Sir W. BRASSMay I ask whether any preference is to be given to the Mother Country?
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman's answer indicate the futility of his proposals at Geneva in regard to a Tariff Truce?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNot at all; I do not take that view of the Geneva Protocol.