HC Deb 05 May 1931 vol 252 cc189-90
20. Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Britain admits most French goods free of duty but obtains in return under the mostfavoured-nation clause no better treatment from France than those countries which place heavy import duties upon French goods; and will he therefore make it a condition in the negotiations for a new Franco-British commercial treaty that Britain shall receive treatment that will put an end to the present discrimination against British goods imported into France?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

United Kingdom goods receive most-favourednation treatment in France in customs matters by virtue of a French law of nearly 50 years standing and there is, therefore, no discrimination against these goods. If the hon. Member suggests that we should insist on France giving us the benefit of lower duties than those she levies on the goods of our competitors I would point out that she is not in a position to give such a preference having regard to her treaty engagements with other countries.

Mr. SAMUEL

Have we no bargaining asset to offer for a, reduction of duties upon goods in which we are specially interested?

Mr. GRAHAM

Oh, yes; in all these matters our open market here is very valuable.

Mr. SAMUEL

Does that mean that French—

Mr. SPEAKER

Sir Kingsley Wood.

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