§ 23. Mr. LIDDALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange that the Anglo-Argentine trade agreement shall not be renewed to cover a long term and that it shall contain a break clause, for review at short intervals, to enable His Majesty's Government to prevent harsh treatment of Anglo-Argentine public utility concerns?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I will keep my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.
§ Sir J. NALLIn view of the importance of the Argentine agreement to British industries, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has received any indication that the Argentine Government are prepared to carry on the agreement with provisions which would meet certain of the points which have been raised?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot make any announcement at the present moment, but conversations are proceeding day by day with the Argentine representatives, and that is one of the points which we have before us.
§ Sir J. NALLIs there any reason to suppose that it will not be possible to renew the agreement?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would not care to say that at the present moment.
§ Mr. LEVYBefore the agreement is renewed or revised, will the House have some indication of its provisions, so that we may not be called upon to ratify it without knowing anything at all about the bargain that has been made?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat question has been put to me and to the Prime Minister several times, and there is nothing further which I can add to the answers which have been given.
§ Mr. GEORGE HALLCan we expect reasonable treatment from the Argentine Government, in view of the policy of the Government of this country in taxing beef?
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the breaking principle is applied, so that the agreement may not be carried on indefinitely?