HC Deb 07 December 1936 vol 318 cc1621-2
18. Mr. ELLIS SMITH

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will arrange with the French Government that all goods purchased as a result of our exhibiting the British productions at the Paris Exhibition of 1937 will be admitted into France free of import duties so that the Anglo-French trade may be increased?

Captain EUAN WALLACE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

It would not, I think, be reasonable to approach the French Government with a request on the very wide basis suggested in the question; but discussions are taking place between the foreign Commissioners-General and the French Exhibition authorities with a view to some appropriate relaxation of quota restrictions during the period of the exhibition, and the French authorities have already announced that the import of foodstuffs intended for consumption within the exhibition will be unaffected by quota regulations.

Mr. SMITH

Seeing that there is so much in common between Britain and France, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the advisability of open- ing negotiations with a view to carrying out the suggestion in the question?

Captain WALLACE

No, Sir; the hon. Member will see that if we carried out the suggestion in his question to its logical conclusion it would make it quite possible for anyone to evade the French import duties and regulations in a wholesale manner which we could not expect France to accept.

19. Mr. SMITH

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will arrange for the pottery exhibits that will be shown at the Paris Exhibition to be exhibited in other parts of the world where it may improve trade?

Captain WALLACE

I have received no request from representatives of the pottery industry that their exhibits at Paris should be shown by His Majesty's Government in other parts of the world, and as at present advised I am not disposed to favour the suggestion.

20. Mr. SMITH

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will arrange special facilities for the transport of exhibits to the Paris Exhibition of 1937?

Captain WALLACE

I understand that both the French and United Kingdom railways propose to make arrangements which will materially reduce the cost of transport for all exhibitors. In the case of exhibits selected for display in the United Kingdom Government Pavilion by the Council of Art and Industry, the Department of Overseas Trade has undertaken to bear the total cost of transport between London and Paris.