§ 29. Mr. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the principal British exports affected by the Surtax of 15 per cent. imposed by the French Government; and what action was taken by the British Government with regard to French imports when the franc was devalorised from 10d. to 2d.?
§ Major COLVILLEAll United Kingdom exports to France are affected by the Surtax except those which are duty free and those which are specified from time to time by the French Government as being goods for which there is a world market. The only goods so specified up to now are cod and mackerel roes, wheat, spelt and meslin, oleaginous seeds and tea. With regard to the second part of the question, no discriminatory action was taken. French goods have consistently been treated in this country—for the last 50 years—in exactly the same way as goods from other foreign countries.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill the Board of Trade make representations to the French Government with regard to this surtax and its unfairness to British exports?
§ Major COLVILLEThe matter is under close consideration.
§ Mr. O'CONNORWill not the best possible representation be made when we have a tariff of our own?