§ 3. Sir ASSHETON POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the action of the Portuguese Government in offering a rebate of duties to goods forwarded in Portuguese vessels; and what action the Government intends to take against this further instance of flag discrimination?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on the 7th November, 1933, the Portuguese Government have undertaken to abolish all forms of flag discrimination against British shipping in Portugal and the adjacent islands by the 1st July next. They have, moreover, recently assured His Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon that the decree necessary to implement the Agreement is ready and will be issued in time to give effect to it on the 1st July next. Under the provisions of the Agreement British ships will, on and after the date, be on exactly the same footing as Portuguese ships in so far as rebates of customs duties are concerned.
§ Sir A. POWNALLHas my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the statement in this morning's "Times," according to which the Portuguese Government have produced yet another decree which makes it impossible for British shipping to compete with Portuguese shipping?
§ Sir J. SIMONNo, Sir, I have not yet seen that statement.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to support any claims for rebate by British exporters who may suffer under these new discriminations by the Portuguese Government?
§ Sir J. SIMONI must not assume the existence of something that I have not seen. Certainly it is the intention of the Government to press upon the Portuguese Government to fulfil the undertakings which they have given, and I have no reason at present to think that they will not do so.