§ 23. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the terms of the resolution sent to him by the London Chamber of Commerce, requesting His Majesty's Government to terminate the Anglo-Portuguese Commercial Treaty because of the treatment of British commerce by the Portuguese Government; and whether he will avail himself of the opportunity to cancel the monopoly use of the word port, in view of the clog it puts upon the expansion of the wine industry within His Majesty's dominions oversea?
§ The SECRETARY for MINES (Mr. Shinwell)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. The question of flag discrimination in Portugal is receiving the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government, and my right hon. Friend is arranging to receive a deputation from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and other bodies in the near future to discuss the matter.
§ Mr. SAMUELWill the hon. Gentleman convey to the Portuguese Government that the treaty which they made is of no value to us if they deliberately and continuously break its terms?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI will convey that to my right hon. Friend.