§ 2. Mr. MITCHESONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to make representations to the French Government on the subject of that Government's decision to establish a quota for various kinds of cotton goods?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAs I have said in reply to previous, questions of this kind, I do not think that general representations against the restriction by quota of cotton goods or any other class of goods would serve a useful purpose, but I should, of course, be ready to consider representations if the quotas proposed were such as to involve discrimination against this country. The French Government have expressed a desire that United Kingdom exporters of cotton goods should enter into negotiations on the matter with French cotton organisations, and I understand that arrangements are being made to that end.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYCan my right hon. Friend say on what year the proposed quota will be based?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid I could not do so without notice.
§ 16. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the French import quotas for various goods for the current quarter, published in the Board of Trade Journal of 14th April, have been the subject of negotiation between His Majesty's Government and the French Government before they became operative?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe quotas in question are in respect of the same goods as were subject to quota in the first quarter of the year. No discussions took place on the quotas for the second 1380 quarter, so far as I am aware, but the original quotas for leather, leather goods and certain electrical apparatus, which are among the most important articles so far as United Kingdom trade is concerned, formed the subject of discussion between the trade interests in this country and those in France. His Majesty's Government are not parties to such discussions.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what takes place when the French Government contemplate the imposition of a quota against us? Do they make representations to us, and do negotiations take place before these quotas are imposed by the French Government, or have we to await the announcement of their decree before we know where we are?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe arrangement of a quota is a matter entirely within the competence of the Government which is imposing the quota; and the only ground on which we can protest is when there is discrimination against us.
§ Mr. HANNONIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to assure these countries that retaliatory measures will be adopted if they impose quotas against us?