HC Deb 31 May 1938 vol 336 cc1806-7
21. Mr. Burke

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the intentions of the Congo Basin Treaty are being secured in Central Africa, in view of the inroads made by Japan in the cotton-piece goods markets of that area?

Mr. Stanley

The Congo Basin Treaties provide for complete commercial equality between the parties and preclude differential treatment in the matter of duties. It cannot, therefore, be claimed that Japan's trade with these territories is contrary to the provisions of the treaties.

Mr. Burke

In view of the figures which the right hon. Gentleman gave the House concerning the different rates of pay, is he satisfied that conditions are equal between this country and Japan so far as these markets are concerned?

Mr. Stanley

It is a question of the legal interpretation of the treaty. Undoubtedly, under the terms of the treaty, that is so.

Mr. Burke

But are the conditions equal between the two countries at the present time, apart from the legal interpretation? The treaties are trade treaties, Do we get equality of trade?

Mr. Stanley

This matter is regulated by treaty and we are bound, therefore, by the terms of the treaty. Under the terms of the treaty, there is no inequality between the Japanese trade and ours.

Mr. Neil Maclean

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to say that if the present treaty is creating any disadvantage to British trade it will he revised?

Mr. Stanley

There is another question on the matter to which I shall reply later. This treaty is only capable of revision by agreement of all the signatories, and cannot be denounced unilaterally by this country.

Brigadier-General Sir Henry Croft

If the other countries signatory to the Congo Basin treaty feel that they are driven out of this area by unfair competition, will my right hon. Friend reconsider the whole question?

Mr. Stanley

The difficulty is that it is incapable of denunciation. If we could get agreement, that certainly would be another matter.

Mr. Burke

Would it not be worth while calling the other signatories together and asking whether the time has not arrived for denunciation of this treaty?

Mr. Stanley

Japan is one of the signatories.

Mr. James Griffiths

Will the Minister bear in mind that all this unfair coin-petition comes from Fascist countries?

Mr. H. G. Williams

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that this treaty was signed in 1882? Does he seriously suggest that that binds us for all time?

Mr. Stanley

I and the Government rely upon the advice of our legal advisers. That legal advice I have given.

Mr. Gallacher

You cannot stop dog from eating dog.