§ 7. Sir A. KNOXasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that while goods exported from Great Britain to France are still subject in that country to a 15 per cent. exchange surtax, French imports from America are not so penalised, in spite of the recent depreciation of the American dollar by over 25 per cent.; and if he will represent to the French Government the hardship to British manufacturers whose goods are in competition with American products in the French market?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLEThe question of securing the removal of the French 15 per cent. exchange compensation surtax continues to engage the earnest attention of my right hon. Friend, and he has quite recently had the opportunity of discussing the matter with the French Minister of Finance and Minister of Commerce.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs there any chance of the French Minister of Finance putting a similar sur-tax on the American product imported into France?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI cannot say, Sir.