§ 23. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade with what countries we enjoy mostfavoured-nation treatment; and with what countries such treatment is only a matter of courtesy?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMGenerally speaking we enjoy most-favoured-nation treatment practically throughout the world, the principal exceptions being those arising out of the preferential customs 779 arrangements between Cuba and the United States of America. In Brazil this treatment is enjoyed in respect of all articles except fresh fruit and in San Salvador there are a few goods in regard to which France has preferential treatment. There are also certain cases in which regional arrangements exist between neighbouring countries for mutual preferences which are, however, of little practical importance from the point of view of British trade. Most-favoured-nation treatment though accorded in fact is not guaranteed by Treaty in any of the following countries, namely, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Hedjaz, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, San Domingo, and Uruguay.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSIn the absence of tariffs, does the most-favoured-nation Clause amount to very much?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes. The short reply is that the most-favoured-nation treatment gives us great advantages.
§ Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLANDBut are not those advantages decreased as compared with what they used to be?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat is a highly debatable point and could only be replied to by an analysis of the figures of a number of individual countries.