§ 40. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the approximate annual value of British import trade into France which is affected by the Bill which has just been passed by the French Chamber and which increases the duties on a large range of British exports to France by from 30 to 150 per cent.?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I regret that the particulars given in the Official Trade Returns both of France and of this country are not sufficiently detailed to enable an estimate to be formed of the amount of our trade affected by the Bill, but I should explain 1229 that the increases in question affect all countries to which the French minimum tariff applies and that the goods concerned are in fact mainly goods in which the predominant interest is not that of this country.
§ Captain MACDONALDIs the hon. and gallant Member satisfied that this is not a contravention of the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause in our trade agreement; and, also, may I ask whether it is not a contravention of the Tariff Truce entered into by the French Government during the term of the Economic Conference?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEAs at present advised, I think it is not, but I should require to have notice of the question.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSIn view of the fact that this Bill has only just been passed in the French Parliament, is it not obvious that it is a breach of the Tariff Truce?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIt may have been initiated some time ago; but I should require notice if I am to investigate the matter thoroughly.
§ Mr. THORNEIs it not a fact that this Bill has been rushed through the French Parliament during the last few days, and is the hon. and gallant Member not aware that this increase in tariffs is going to hit our trades and that it has been imposed because we will not join the gold bloc?