48. Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any explanation has been received from the French Government as to the grounds on which discriminatory restrictions have been imposed on imports from Great Britain; and if he will give the House any information on the subject which is available?
§ Major COLVILLEThe Decree imposing the 15 per cent. surtax on United Kingdom goods states that it is intended to compensate for currency depreciation. As already stated, full representations have already been made to the French Government in the matter, but no reply has yet been received.
Sir F. HALLIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that when the franc stood at 240 to the pound we did not take 1856 steps of this nature, and will he represent to the President of the Board of Trade that no consideration of possible reprisals should deflect him from the course of taking any necessary steps, by the imposition of duties, to support the trade of this country?
§ Major COLVILLEI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the right hon. Gentleman is aware of all these considerations.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman also remind the French Government of the amount of War debt of which we relieved them?