§ 8. Mr. FREEMANasked the President of the Board of Trade how many countries have now ratified the tariff truce proposals; the names of those countries who have done so during the last month; the names of those countries who have refused; and those who are still considering the matter?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMAs the answer is somewhat long, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. FREEMANDoes my night hon. Friend contemplate taking any further action in this direction and so avoid the difficulties which may arise over subjects like the German and Austrian customs union?
§ Mr. GRAHAMOh, yes, in reply to questions I have indicated the course which we propose to take.
§ Sir PHILIP CUNLIFFE-LISTERCan the right hon. Gentleman say into which category this country falls? [Interruption.]
§ Sir K. WOODSurely the right hon. Gentleman can state whether—
§ Mr. SPEAKERColonel Burton.
§ Following is the answer:
§ Thirteen countries have now deposited ratifications of the Commercial Convention, namely, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. So far as I am aware, the only ratification deposited during the past month has been that of France. The German Government have announced that, in view of the failure of the recent Conference to reach agreement with regard to the putting into force of the 1748 Convention, they have decided not to deposit their ratification.
§ With regard to the last part of the question, four countries which signed the Convention have not so far ratified it, namely, Austria, Estonia, Poland and Roumania. I am not aware, however, that any of these countries are considering the possibility of ratifying.