§ 37. Mr. J. P. MORRIS(forMr. CHORLTON) asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the harm done by the most-favoured-nation clause giving to another nation with lower wage-rates the advantages of a bargain agreement with another nation, he will take steps to denounce it in order that we may be able to make better bargains with other countries?
§ Dr. BURGINThe general denunciation of existing commercial treaties embodying the most-favoured-nation clause would deprive British exporters of valuable safeguards in foreign markets and would not be in the best interests of this country. It has, however, been stated previously in this House that His Majesty's Government will not be prepared to continue indefinitely to accord full: most-favoured-nation treatment to a country when in the course of negotiations it shows itself unwilling to meet the reasonable requirements of this country in regard to the treatment of United Kingdom goods.
§ Mr. MORRISIs it not a fact that the existence of the most-favoured-nation clause in commercial treaties prevents any successful attempt being made to deal with Japanese competition with the Crown Colonies?
§ Dr. BURGINNo, that is not an accurate statement of fact.
§ Mr. MORRISWhy cannot we denounce the Congo Basin Convention?
§ Sir H. CROFTWhat measure of time is necessary to denounce a treaty in such a case?
§ Dr. BURGINSometimes 12 months, sometimes six, and sometimes three. In a very large number of treaties the periods are not identical.
§ Mr. HANNONWhat is the precise meaning of the word "indefinitely" which the hon. Gentleman used in his reply?
§ Dr. BURGINI do not know whether I am expected to give the Oxford Dictionary definition.
§ Mr. HANNONThe common sense definition.
§ Dr. BURGINThe common sense definition means that, if the Government in the course of negotiations with a country finds, when its attention is called to the matter, that the country persists in declining to meet reasonable requirements, we shall consider denouncing that treaty and keeping our hands entirely free