HC Deb 07 December 1939 vol 355 cc851-2W
Mr. Denman

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to remove the hindrances on trade between Great Britain and France?

Mr. Stanley

Both this country and France have been obliged, by reason of the necessity to economics exchange, to introduce restrictions on imports. Naturally these restrictions, in common with other war measures, have caused some difficulties. So far as, imports from France are concerned, we have throughout had special regard to the interests of our ally in the operation of the restrictions and recently, in the spirit of the conversations between my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the French Minister of Finance, further substantial relaxations in respect of imports from France have been agreed to. The complaints which I have received about difficulties in securing licences to import United Kingdom goods into France are being brought to the notice of the French Government, and there is reason to hope that the difficulties will be removed.