§ 24. Mr. ANNESLEY SOMERVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade, with regard to the negotiations with the French Government for alterations of tariffs on United Kingdom goods, in view of the fact that an offer by the French Government to give us most-favoured-nation treatment in any new arrangement confers no advantage on British goods entering France, whether he will state what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI cannot admit that the most-favoured-nation tariff treatment which United Kingdom exports to France at present enjoy confers no advantage on our trade with that country. As regards the proposals which Has Majesty's Government have submitted to the French Government for reductions of the rates of duty levied on United Kingdom goods I can add nothing at present to the information which I have already communicated to the House.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman expect any tangible results from negotiations?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes, Sir, I have always said that it is a difficult matter, but I am still full of hope.
§ Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British Chamber of Commerce in Paris has reported to the Board of Trade that the most-favoured-nation clause confer no benefit whatever upon British goods?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI have already given the hon. Member a reply on that point, 790 and I feel that I cannot accept his view regarding the position of this matter at all.