15. Sir ASSHETON POWNAILasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how long the negotiations with Portugal on the question of flag discrimination have been continuing; and what is their present position?
§ Sir J. SIMONRepresentations were first made to the Portuguese Government on this subject in January, 1927. Since then the Portuguese Government have abolished the discrimination in port dues in Portugal and the adjacent islands in favour of Portuguese shipping, and have announced their intention in principle to abolish the rebate in the Customs Duties levied in Portugal and the adjacent islands on goods carried in Portuguese vessels. Up to the present the rebate has been reduced from 10 per cent. to 0 per cent. of the import duties and from 20 per cent. to 12 per cent. of the export duties. His Majesty's Government attach great importance to this question, and discussions are still proceeding with the Portuguese Government.
Sir A. POWNAILWill the right hon. Gentleman consider denouncing our Treaty with Portugal if these negotiations, which have already lasted six years, do not soon come to a satisfactory conclusion?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe hon. Member may rest assured that the matter is being pursued in all its aspects, and I am not without hope that it will lead to some satisfactory conclusion.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider putting an 80 per sent, import duty on port?