§ 20. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has examined the text of the decree issued by the French Government on the 17th instant, which introduces quotas for the import into France of machine tools and various articles produced by iron and steel firms in this country; and if the effect of this action on British export trade will be brought to the notice of the Imports Advisory Committee?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The task of the Import Duties Advisory Committee is to recommend rates of duty applicable to goods imported from all foreign countries and it is no part of their function to consider any impediments which may be placed in the way of United Kingdom trade by individual foreign countries.
§ Mr. HANNONBut what is the attitude of the Board of Trade? May I ask whether it is not the function of the Board of Trade to take some definite action when discrimination is placed on British products going into France or into any other foreign country?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, that is a part of their duties, and those duties the Board of Trade perform.
§ Mr. HANNONBut will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how he is going to perform his duty in this case?
§ Mr. MANDERIs not this a form of bullying on the part of the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon)?