§ 22. Mr. PIKEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that for the years ended 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932 and 1933 the average value of imports into the United Kingdom from Spain have exceeded the value of the United Kingdom exports to Spain by £7,467,028; and what steps, if any, His Majesty's Government have taken, or are taking, to secure for the United Kingdom producers reciprocal trading on a more equitable basis?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I am aware that United Kingdom imports from Spain have substantially exceeded exports to that country during the years in question. As regards the second part of the question, the whole policy of His Majesty's Government is directed towards securing the most favourable possible conditions of trade for United Kingdom producers.
§ Mr. PIKEDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that when any reduction in the exports from Spain to this country has taken place, there has been a comparable reduction in the exports from Great Britain to Spain; and will he now apply the same policy as that which Spain apparently is applying to us in the matter of her exports to this country?
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the unsatisfactory state of affairs in connection with the import of British motor cars into Spain, and especially that the Spanish Government are reported not yet to have refunded the tax on cars which they had previously overcharged?