HC Deb 13 November 1933 vol 281 cc543-5
55. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many and with which countries is there a commercial treaty in operation with a most-favoured-nation clause; what notice has to be given for the withdrawal of this privilege; and whether such notice has been given in any case?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

As the answer contains a tabular statement I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There are commercial agreements in force with 43 countries under which the produce and manufactures of these countries are entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment in the United Kingdom in the matter of Customs duties. The following list shows the countries concerned and indicates the period of notice of denunciation which operates in each case. In no case has notice of termination been given.

Sir W. DAVISON

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say, generally, whether it is the policy of the Department now that we are making tariff arrangements with particular countries to deal with that country only and not have the matter complicated by having to think of its effect on other countries who have treaties with a most-favoured-nation clause?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

That is too big a matter to review in reply to a question.

Following is the statement:

Country. Instrument and Date of Signature. When Terminable.
Denmark … Treaty, February 13th, 1660–1; July 11th, 1670. Agreement, April 24th, 1933. No provision for termination. June 20th, 1936.
Egypt … Notes, June 7th, 1930 February 16th, 1934, unless further prolonged.
Estonia … Treaty, January 18th, 1926 At any time on 12 months' notice(1).
Finland … Treaty, December 14th,1923 and Agreement, September 29th, 1933 (2). At any time on 6 months' notice.
Germany … Treaty, December 2nd, 1924 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Greece … Treaty, July 16th, 1926 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Guatemala … Treaty, February 22nd, 1928 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Hayti … Notes, February 25th, 1928 At any time on 6 months' notice.
Hungary … Treaty, July 23rd, 1926 July 26th, 1937, or thereafter on 12 months' notice.
Iceland … Treaty, February 13th, 1660–1; July 11th, 1670. No provision for termination.
Agreement, May 19th, 1933 June 27th, 1936, and thereafter on 6 months' notice.
Italy … Treaty, June 15th, 1883 At any time on 12 months' notice.;
Japan … Treaty, April 3rd, 1911. At any time on 12 months' notice.
Latvia … Treaty, June 22nd, 1923 At any time on 12 months' notice.(3).
Lithuania … Notes, May 6th, 1922 At any time on 3 months' notice.
Netherlands … Treaty, October 27th, 1837 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Nicaragua … Treaty, July 28th, 1905 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Norway … Convention, March 18th, 1826 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Agreement, May 15th, 1933 July 7th, 1936.
Panama … Treaty, September 25th, 1928 April 8th, 1939, or thereafter on 12 months' notice.
Persia … Treaty, May 10th, 1928 In force provisionally.
Poland … Treaty, November 26th, 1923 At any lime on 3 months' notice.
Portugal … Treaty, August 12th, 1914 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Roumania … Treaty, August 6th, 1930 May 12th, 1934, or thereafter on 6 months' notice.
Salvador … (Notes, August 8th, 1931, provisional) September 15th, 1934.
Siam … Treaty, July 14th, 1925 May 30th, 1936, or thereafter on 12 months' notice.
Spain … Convention, April 5th, 1927 At any time on 3 months' notice.
Sweden … Convention, March 18th, 1826 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Agreement, May 15th, 1933 July 7th, 1936.
Switzerland … Treaty, September 6th, 1855 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Turkey … Treaty, March 1st, 1930 November 3rd, 1935, or thereafter on 12 months' notice.
United States … Convention, July 3rd, 1815 At any time on 12 months' notice.
Venezuela … Treaty, April 18th, 1825 No provision for termination.
Yugoslavia … Treaty, May 12th, 1927 At any time on 12 months' notice.
(1) Extended to 15 months by Notes, July 15th, 1933, which operate until July 21st, 1934.
(2) The Agreement of September 29th, 1933, has not yet been ratified; it will remain in force for three years from its date of coming into force and thereafter will be subject to termination on six months' notice. It provides that no notice of termination of the Treaty of 1923 shall take effect during the currency of the Agreement.
(3) Extended to 15 months by Notes, July 6th, 1933, which operate until July 14th, 1934.