HC Deb 15 March 1932 vol 263 cc162-3
8. Mr. ALEXANDER RAMSAY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that recent restrictions placed by the German Government on the importation of British coal constitute discrimination against this country; and if His Majesty's Government are prepared to adopt measures of retaliation under the powers conferred on them by the Import Duties Act, 1932?

13. Captain PETER MACDONALD

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has drawn the attention of the German Government to the fact that the recent additional restrictions on the importation of British coal into Germany are inconsistent with the obligations that arise out of the AngloGerman commercial treaty; and, if so, what reply has been received?

14. Mr. T. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state the result of the negotiations with the German Government on the question of imported coal?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I can only refer hon. Members to the answer which I gave on this subject yesterday to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson).

Mr. RAMSAY

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that if we are to accept this unfair discrimination without retaliation it will seriously prejudice certain important provisions of the Import Duties Act?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Communications are passing between His Majesty's Government and the German Government on this subject.

Captain P. MACDONALD

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to have the reply, the decision?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I cannot say.

Mr. THORNE

Is it not a fact that the Treaty made with Germany in 1924 was made when we were a Free Trade country, and is not that one of our difficulties?