§ Mr. H. GIBSONasked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the British signatories of the existing commercial treaty between England and Germany, under which we are prohibited from imposing a countervailing duty on bounty-fed cereals imported into this country from Germany as distinct from non-bounty-fed cereals of a like nature from other countries?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe British signatories to the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty of 1924 were the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham (Sir A. Chamberlain) and Lord D'Abernon.
§ Mr. GIBSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has inquired into the possibility of obtaining freedom of action in regard to bounty-fed imported cereals as limited by the 1123W convention concluded with Germany; and, if so, will he state the conditions under which freedom of action can be obtained?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe Anglo-German Treaty may now be denounced by either party at any time, and in that event it comes to an end one year from the date of denunciation. A prohibition of the importation of bounty-fed cereals from Germany would also conflict with the International Convention for the abolition of prohibitions and restrictions on importation and exportation. This Convention remains in force in any case until June, 1931, though in certain conditions our obligations under it towards Germany may come to an end on 1st July next. The general position in regard to this Convention was set out on page 59 of the Board of Trade Journal for 9th January, 1930.