§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Swiss Government are imposing a quota on British imports into Switzerland; on what principle it is based; whether it is based on the total imports of each class of goods or of each importer or on the total imports from this country; and what steps he is taking to secure the most-favoured-nation treatment for British goods?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe Swiss Government are imposing restrictions upon the importation of certain classes of goods from all countries. The method adopted does not appear to be uniform in all cases, but in the case of motor cycles, which is the only predominantly United Kingdom trade so far affected, I understand that equal quotas may be imported from the main supplying countries at the old rate of duty, excess imports being charged a much higher rate. The quota is also distributed among importers in accordance with their past trade. His Majesty's Minister has already approached the Swiss Government in the matter, and a further communication is under consideration.