§ Sir S. CHAPMANasked the President of the Board of Trade what were the terms of the reservations and conditions of the United States of America in signing the international Convention for the abolition of import and export prohibitions and restrictions, which was signed at Paris on 20th December, 1929, with regard to tariff systems, dumping, bounties, subsidies, and similar methods; and if similar reservations were made on behalf of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMWhen signing the Convention of 8th November, 1927, the delegate of the United States of America made a declaration which included the following
I declare, pursuant to instructions from my Government. … that I sign the Convention and Protocol subject to the following reservations and conditions with respect to the U.S.A. …. that the said Convention affects neither the tariff systems nor the treaty-making methods of the participating countries nor the measures taken to ensure the application thereof, including measures to counteract dumping, bounties, subsidies, unfair methods or acts in foreign trade, undervaluation or discrimination.No similar reservation was made on behalf of the United Kingdom, or of any of the other countries between whom the Convention is in force.
§ Sir S. CHAPMANasked the President of the Board of Trade if any of the high contracting parties who ratified the international Convention for the abolition of import and export prohibitions and restrictions which came into force on 1st January, 1930, have yet taken any steps to give effect to the provisions of the Convention?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes, Sir. The following countries have removed restrictions on the export of hides, skins and bones, namely, Austria., Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Rumania. I may point out that the obligations of the Convention do not become effective till 1st July next.
§ Sir S. CHAPMANasked the President of the Board of Trade if, having regard to the abnormal production of potatoes in the United Kingdom during the last year, and the quantity which remains unused and will never be used, and in order to avoid a similar result next year, he will 41W take the necessary steps under Article 5 of the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions, ratified at Paris on 20th December, 1929, to adopt measures prohibiting and restricting such importation?
§ Mr. GRAHAMWhether Article 5 of the Convention could or could not properly be regarded as intended to cover the contingency referred to by the hon. Member, His Majesty's Government are undoubtedly precluded, as I explained to him in reply to a question on 25th March, by the Anglo-German Treaty of Commerce from imposing any prohibition on these grounds.