§ 9. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any further statement as to the progress of negotiations with the Governments of Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal with regard 1383 to the discriminatory measures recently adopted by them against the importation of British coal?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANHis Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin has been instructed to make further strong representations to the German Government. Replies to our representations have now been received from the Belgian and Italian Governments, and are under consideration. The recent increase of 5 per cent. in the Portuguese Customs duty on coal imports is not considered to be discriminatory.
§ Captain MACDONALDAre these other countries going to be allowed to disregard commercial treaties, without any retaliatory measures being adopted by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HANNONCan the right hon. Gentleman say at what stage he proposes to tell these countries that discriminatory tariffs against us will be no longer tolerated?
§ 10. Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether negotiations are proceeding with the French Government with a view to securing an increase in the quota allotted to British coal; and what is the nature of the pressure being exerted by the British Government?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir. The French Government have been pressed for an early reply to our representations regarding the method of calculation of the coal quota and the inequitable operation of the licensing system.
§ Mr. NICHOLSONIs the right hon. Gentleman hopeful that satisfactory results will eventuate from these negotiations?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is a matter of opinion.
§ Mr. MARTINIs the right hon. Gentleman keeping in touch with the owners and miners' representatives in the exporting districts in this matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes. We are in the closest touch with them day by day.
§ 15. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the preferential treatment of Dutch coal as against British by certain municipalities and institutions in Germany; and if any representations have been made to the German Government on the subject?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have seen it both affirmed and denied in the Press that certain public utility undertakings in Berlin and Hamburg are diverting their custom to Dutch coal. I am making inquiries and will let my hon. Friend know the result.
§ Mr. HANNONWhen can I put a question down to my right hon. Friend on this subject, with the hope of getting some definite reply?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANTowards the end of next week.
§ Mr. LAWSONHow much longer are we going to conceal from ourselves the fact that these measures against us are retaliatory?