§ 40. Mr. MANDERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a reply has now been received from the Belgium Government with regard to the Government's proposal for a reduction of tariffs by 25 per cent?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)Yes, Sir. Consideration of this reply is being deferred pending the receipt of further replies from other Governments to which proposals for reductions of duty have been addressed, and in the meanwhile I do not think it would be advisable to indicate the nature of the Belgian reply which is, of course, of a confidential character.
§ Mr. MANDERHas it not already been stated in the public Press that the Belgian Government have in the main accepted the Government's proposal?
§ Mr. GILLETTI cannot be responsible for what is stated in the Press.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEDoes this mean that the tariff truce is still in operation?