§ Mr. MALLALIEUasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Greek Government is increasing the duties on certain of the goods exported to that country; and that the importation of high-grade cloths is being prohibited for six months and, in consequence, orders placed in this country and ready for delivery are being countermanded, entailing financial loss to British merchants; and whether he will take, steps to secure that representations are made to the Greek Government on this matter?
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§ Mr. BALDWINA Bill providing for increased duties, to take effect as from. 24th June, has been submitted to the Greek Chamber, but goods included in the Conventions in force between Greece and Great Britain or any other allied or neutral country are unaffected. A further Bill proposes to prohibit, for a period of six months, the importation of certain kinds of so-called luxury goods, but I have as yet no detailed information as to the classes of goods affected. The import prohibitions will not be enforced until the Bill has been enacted, and I will consult with the Acting Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with a view to representations being made 10 the Greek Government as to the effect of the proposed prohibitions on goods for which orders had been placed prior to the introduction of the Bill in the Greek Chamber.