§ 28. Mr. CHORLTONasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, if any, have been taken with regard to the denunciation of the most-favoured-nation clause?
§ 34. Vice-Admiral TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the advantages obtained by this country in recent trade agreements are being largely nullified by the most-favoured-nation clause in our commercial treaties, he will take the earliest opportunity to eliminate this clause from existing treaties?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which was given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 17th July last in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Platting (Mr. Chorlton).
§ Mr. CHORLTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if experience since that time would not cause him to change what he said then; and does he not think we have a great deal to gain by the denunciation of this clause?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy answer to my hon. Friend was given on 17th July. There has been no change since 17th July.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONHow is it possible to make satisfactory tariff 719 arrangements with one State when consideration has to be given to 30, 40 or 50 other States and to the effect which those negotiations will have under the most-favoured-nation clause?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe must test each case on its merits.
§ Sir W. DAVISONBut you cannot do that.
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman——