§ 49. Mr. MALLALIEUasked the President of the Board of Trade how the revised duties on 200 articles exported from the United Kingdom to Poland under the recently concluded trade agreement with that country compare with the duties on the same class of articles in operation in 1930?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The trade agreement provides for the reduction of 340 rates of duty in the Polish tariff. Of these reductions, about 60 per cent. are to levels below those in force at the end of 1930.
§ Mr. MALLALIEUCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman state whether this agreement is more favourable or less favourable than the other agreements made by His Majesty's Government?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThat is a comparison which I hardly think I ought to be asked to draw. Undoubtedly it is a very favourable agreement.
§ Mr. HARCOURT JOHNSTONECould the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the 60 per cent. represents 60 per cent. of the bulk or 60 per cent. of the number of articles?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe question on the Paper related to articles, and I have answered it on the basis of articles.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONECould not a supplementary reply be given indicating value or bulk?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLESuch a question could not possibly be answered without notice.