§ 30. Major NATHANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from what countries, if any, representations have been received in regard to the probable effect of the Import Duties Bill upon British trade with the countries concerned?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir. I am not aware that any foreign country has made representations in regard to the probable effect of the Import Duties Bill upon British trade. A country is primarily interested in its own trade, and we have made many representations to foreign countries about our trade in the past. But it is undoubtedly the fact that, since the policy of the Bill was announced, many foreign countries—I could not give an exhaustive list—have expressed a new interest in regard to their trade to this country.