§ 36. Mr. C. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the import or bunker duties on coal at Rio de Janeiro, amounting to 10s. 10d. per ton, are a flat rate, or do we get any better terms under the most-favoured-nation clause?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I have been asked to reply. No commercial agreement providing for most-favoured-nation treatment is in force between this country and Brazil. The import duty on coal is, however, according to my information, levied at a flate rate, whatever the country of export.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAm I to understand from the answer that the Government are making no effort, and that they have no means of doing anything to get an advantage for British trade?