15. Mr. A. RAMSAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent imposition of an embargo on British products into Greece, unless in exchange for Greek products and under a permit issued by the Bank of Greece, the Government propose to introduce similar retaliatory measures in respect of that country?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe rule that certain kinds of goods can only be imported into Greece in exchange for Greek products applies to imports from all sources and representations have been made to the Greek Government based on the Commercial Treaty with Greece of 1926 that any restriction on the importation of British goods shall not be proportionately greater than that applicable to goods of other foreign origin and that existing contracts shall be respected. I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion and the situation will continue to be watched.
Mr. RAMSAYis my right hon. Friend aware that the ineffectiveness of the Board of Trade and Foreign Office in dealing with this question of foreign embargoes is causing a great deal of anxiety, and can he foreshadow a more 178 resolute policy by the Government in this matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am not aware of the facts stated by my hon. Friend. So far as we are concerned, we have to remember that if we are making arrangements with foreign countries they must be arrived at by agreement.