§ 5. Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the passage through the United States of America Congress of the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Bill; and whether he proposes to seek powers by which to defend British export trade against the injury the Bill will inflict upon British export trade?
§ 12. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the United States Tariff Bill; if he has considered its effect on British trade; if he intends to make representations in the matter; and, if not, what other steps he intends to take?
18. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTANDOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any representations respecting the adverse effect on British trade of the increased United States tariff; and whether he has taken any action in the matter?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe United States Tariff Act was signed by the President on the 17th June, and came into force on the following day. The higher rates of duty imposed by the Act on various kinds of goods will clearly tend to restrict our exports of such goods. Hon. Members will be aware of the action already taken by His Majesty's Government, as stated in my replies on this subject to the hon. Member for Horn-castle (Mr. Haslam) on the 3rd December last, and to the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) or the 3rd June last.
§ Mr. SAMUELHas the right hon. Gentleman invited the United States Government to join in the tariff truce?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe United States Government was present at Geneva, but sent only an observer, and was not a party to the truce.
§ Mr. SAMUELDoes it not show what a farce the tariff truce is if one of the greatest nations of the world refuses to take part in it?
§ 14. Mr. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade Whether the recent United States of America Tariff Bill will reduce tariffs against any classes of British goods imported into the United States of America?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe final text of the United States Tariff Act is not yet available here, but according to information I have received from the Embassy at Washington the list of tariff reductions applies to very few commodities of kinds produced in this country. They include, however, lower rates on various kinds of machinery other than agricultural or 945 textile; on rapeseed oil; and on aluminium metal, scrap and alloy.
§ Mr. SAMUELIn view of the small advantages that arise out of the Tariff Bill is it not rather a severe snub to the tariff truce at Geneva?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThis raises the whole tariff problem. I have always said to hon. Members opposite that they were advocating either a tariff or prohibition, and I can promise neither.
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODIs not the right hon. Gentleman ashamed of his tariff truce?