§ Mr. WATTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether British motor-car chassis, motor-car tyres, and motor-car bodies are admitted into Portuguese territory on the same terms as French and German makes; and, if not, will he say what is the reason of this disparity and whether it can be altered?
Mr. BUXTONMotor cars, chassis and tyres of French or German manufacture are dutiable on importation into Portugal at special rates of duty by virtue of agreements between the Portuguese Government and the French and German Governments. The benefits of these reduced rates are not accorded to similar manufactures of the United Kingdom in the absence of any treaty or agreement which would secure most-favoured-nation treatment to our goods. Negotiations for the conclusion of such a treaty have for some time been in progress. So far as I am aware, there is no discrimination in force in respect of motor-car bodies.