§ 21. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position with regard to the possibility of the imposition of tariffs against Japanese and German goods entering Palestine, in view of the fact that these two countries are no longer Members of the League of Nations; and what attitude the Mandates Commission took in the matter at their recent meeting?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreTariff discrimination in Palestine against Japanese and 1165 German goods is not possible as long as Palestine remains a party to the commercial treaties with Japan and Germany. As regards the possibility of discriminatory action in the event of the application of those Treaties to Palestine being terminated, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Heywood and Radcliffe (Mr. Porritt) on 16th November last, to which I have nothing to add. As regards the second part of the question, the Permanent Mandates Commission did not, so far as I am aware, deal with this particular matter at their recent meeting.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsAre the Treaties in question Treaties between this country and Japan and Germany, or Treaties between Palestine and those countries?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThey are Treaties with this country, together with the Colonial Empire, including Mandated Territories.
§ Mr. MacquistenDid the President of the Board of Trade carry them through?
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that a Treaty which we entered into can be regarded as applicable to a country which, for Customs purposes, is treated as a foreign country, namely, Palestine?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreA great many of these commercial treaties between the United Kingdom and foreign countries apply not only to the United Kingdom, but to the non-self-governing part of the Empire.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs it not the case that Palestine is regarded as a foreign country?
§ Mr.Ormsby-GoreFor certain purposes.