10. Sir H. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the increases in customs duties to which British goods have been subjected in other countries during the last two years have applied to similar goods manufactured by competing countries which have protectionist tariffs; and to what extent those countries have been able, by the use of the weapon of retaliation, to secure benefits for their own trade which Great Britain has been unable to secure for hers?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMSubject to certain minor exceptions, to which it is not perhaps necessary to refer in detail, it is broadly speaking true that we enjoy either by Treaty, or in practice, most-favoured-nation treatment practically throughout the world. It follows that the increased duties to which my right hon. Friend alludes are applicable not only to the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom but to that of our competitors, whatever may be the nature of their tariff systems. As regards the second part of the question, it equally follows that any reductions of duty which our competitors may have been able to secure, whether by the threat of retaliation or the offer of counter concessions, are in general enjoyed also by similar United Kingdom goods.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIn view of these resulting increases within the past two years, does not the President now see how unwise it was for him to propose his unfortunate tariff truce?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo, Sir.
§ 13. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to report further progress in the completion of economic agreements for the reduction of import duties by European countries; and if any date has yet been fixed for the postponed confirmation of the tariff truce?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMWith regard to the first part of the question, I presume the hon. Member has in mind the proposals made by His Majesty's Government to various European countries which formed the subject of his previous question of the 17th February. Replies have been received from the Belgian, 10 German, Polish and Swiss Governments which indicate the general lines on which they are prepared to proceed with the proposed negotiations. His Majesty's Government propose to await replies from the other countries concerned before considering their next step. With regard to the second part of the question, as has previously been stated in this House, the recent Geneva Conference, which considered the question of the date of putting into force of the Commercial Convention, was unable to agree upon such a date.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes not the experience of the right hon. Gentleman, judging by the replies he has received and the progress of his proposals, indicate to him that it is time this foolish proposition was withdrawn?