§ 26. Mr. BURNETTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to impose a surcharge duty upon the importation of German wines while the Anglo-German exchange clearing is in operation?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)No, Sir. I am advised that the proposal made by my hon. Friend would conflict with the terms of the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty of 1924.
§ 27. Mr. LOFTUSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date it is pro posed to introduce legislation to set up a clearing-house system for Anglo-German trade; and, in the event of such a system being established, whether it will ensure that the German Government will not be in a position to apply the clearing-house procedure to the trade of the British Empire as a whole?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs my hon. Friend will by now be aware, the Debts Clearing Offices and Import Restrictions Bill was introduced yesterday. The matter referred to in the second part of the question has of course been borne in mind, but I think it could most conveniently be dealt with in discussion when the Bill is before the House.
§ 41. Mr. BURNETTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to impose a surcharge for harbour or port dues on all German vessels using United Kingdom ports in 535 order to fortify on balance the Anglo-German exchange clearing?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)Our existing treaty obligations would make it impossible to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ 61. Mr. LOFTUSasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he intends consulting with the Dominion Governments as to the possible effects on the export trades of the Dominions of the proposed clearing-house system for Anglo-German trade?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are already in touch with the Dominion Governments regarding the action which it is proposed to take in this matter.