§ 58. Mr. HURDasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, in view of the computation of the United States department of commerce that the new Canadian tariff affects adversely in most 25 instances from £35,000,000 to £45,000,000 worth of United States exports to Canada, whether his Department will call a conference of British exporters in the trades affected to devise means of taking advantage of the British preferences in the new Canadian tariff?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe changes in the Canadian tariff will affect the business operations of a very great variety of exporting trades in this country. Every effort is being made by the Department to assist manufacturers and traders to take advantage of the new opportunities offered. While the personal opinion of my hon. Friend the Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade is that a general conference such as suggested would serve no practical purpose, he would gladly fall in with any proposal from particular groups if they represented to him that they felt that consultation regarding their special interests would be useful.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSAre we to understand that a lower import duty in a country does help its imports?
§ 59. Mr. HURDasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has received from the British High Commissioner in Canada a report on the new Canadian tariff similar to that provided by the United States department of commerce for United States exporters; and whether this report will be made quickly available for the British trading community?
§ Mr. SMITHNo, Sir. This is a matter which falls rather within the province of His Majesty's Trade Commissioner. In regard to the information received, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked by him on the 15th May.
§ Mr. HURDDoes not the Government consider that this goes beyond an ordinary trading matter and that it is specifically called by the Canadian Government a definite offer?
§ Mr. SMITHYes, I think in the answer given the information was that telegraphic communication had been resorted to, and the earlier particulars had been published in the trade journal and that further particulars would be published, and the information circulated.