§ 6. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade to what class of machinery is the French quota applied; and what is the estimated effect the quota will have on the exports of British textile and other machinery to France?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANQuotas have been enforced in the case of certain electrical, printing and bookbinding, metal and wood-working machinery, certain machine tools and certain gas, water and steam apparatus, but not, so far as I am aware, in the case of textile machinery. It is not possible to estimate the precise effect of these quotas, but it can be assumed that they will result in a reduction of imports into France from all the exporting countries.
§ Sir P. HARRISIs this one of the first-fruits of the Import Duties Act?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, it has nothing whatever to do with it.
§ 8. Mr. DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any representations have been made to the French Government on behalf of the British manufacturers engaged in the export trade with regard to the proposal of the French Government to apply the quota system to all imports of goods into that country of a type similar to their home manufacture?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford (Sir G. Hamilton) on 7th March. His Majesty's Government are always ready to make representations where necessary to secure equitable treatment for British manufactures, but general representations 6 against the quota system as such are not at present likely to serve a useful purpose.