§ Mr. HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade when our commercial treaty with Germany expires; and whether, in negotiations for its renewal, it will be made clear that Great Britain does not surrender the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard British industries against competition which is supported by State bounties, or such an equivalent of bounties as is provided by the German import and export licensing system?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe Anglo-German Commercial Treaty continues in force indefinitely, unless it is denounced by either party, in which case it comes to an end one year from the date of denunciation. The second part of the question does not therefore arise. I may, however, add that it is not part of the policy of His Majesty's Government to impose new duties on imported foodstuffs and that they have therefore no intention of denouncing this or other Commercial Treaties in order to enable them to do so.
§ Mr. HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, notwithstanding the broad intention of Article 8 of the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty, Germany requires a certificate as to the date of harvesting before granting the lower rate of duty on imported potatoes; and whether the Government will require a certificate that German wheat imported into this country is not bonused directly or indirectly by the German Government?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHThe certificate required by the German Government is required to ensure that the potatoes to which it applies are of the kind entitled to benefit by the special low duty granted to old potatoes in the early months of the year. There is no question of discrimination between potatoes coming from this country and potatoes of the same kind from other countries, and there is therefore no breach of Article 8 of the Treaty. I am, however, advised that discrimination against German wheat on the ground that it was alleged to be in receipt of a bounty would be a breach of the Article.