HC Deb 21 December 1933 vol 284 c1466
37. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a further statement about the French surtax?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I very much regret that I am not in a position to give the House final information on this question before the Christmas adjournment. Within a few days, however, a solution of the question satisfactory to His Majesty's Government will be made public.

Sir HERBERT SAMUEL

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a report in the "Times" of a statement made by the French Minister of Commerce to a committee of the French Chamber in which he is reported to have said that the disappearance of the surtax would be in no case be prejudicial to French industry since the quota system would be used for its protection as in the past, and whether he has that contingency in mind?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I can have no responsibility for what has been said by another Minister in another Chamber.

Sir H. SAMUEL

But has the right hon. Gentleman that contingency in mind in the course of the negotiations?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The negotiations are concluded.