§ 4. Dr. LEECHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the number of the Embassy staff at Madrid in 1913 and 1934; and whether the special commercial department of the Embassy has succeeded in arranging that Spain should purchase the agreed 750,000 tons minimum of coal in accordance with the treaty of 1922?
§ Sir J. SIMONIn 1913 the regular staff of His Majesty's Embassy at Madrid numbered six persons and in 1934 nine persons, including the Commercial Secretary. With regard to the second part of the question, I would point out that the only clause relating to coal in the Anglo-Spanish Commercial Treaty of October, 1922, as amended by the Convention of April, 1927, is that which provides that pit coal (that is to say bituminous coal) imported into Spain from Great Britain will benefit by a reduction of 40 per cent. on the duties imposed by the Spanish tariff on imported pit coal, and that this reduction will be applicable to an annual quota of 750,000 tons.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is no discrimination against this country?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe hon. Member will observe that the terms of the Anglo-Spanish Commercial Treaty really provide for preferential trade.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a minimum of 750,000 tons of coal was agreed upon, and that minimum has never yet been reached?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, I am not aware of that fact. I am aware that the provisions to which I have just called attention were provisions that were applicable to a quota of 750,000 tons.