§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the high tariff which Spain is raising against British steel; and whether, in view of the adverse effect upon the British steel industry, he proposes to make any representations to the Spanish Government on the matter?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs I explained in an answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Maidstone (Commander Bellairs) on 30th November, the general revision of the Spanish Customs Tariff has been postponed. The existing duties on certain classes of steel are amongst those fixed by treaties between Spain and other countries which expire at the end of the year, but the Spanish Government have recently issued a decree under which they have power to1932W continue any or all of these treaty rates in force after 1st January. So far as I am aware, they have not yet arrived at a definite decision as to the extent to which these powers will be exercised, but their attention has been directed by His Majesty's Ambassador to the articles of primary importance to British trade, and I have some grounds for hoping that there will be no alteration in the steel duties for the present.