§ Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will communicate to the House the replies of the Governments of Holland and Belgium to communications of His Majesty's Government with reference to the tariff convention concluded by the Governments of Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg in July last?
§ Sir J. SIMONBoth the Belgian and Netherlands Governments expressed regret that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom felt unable to accept the invitation to become a party to the Convention. Further, both Governments made the suggestion that the representatives of His Majesty's Government and of the parties to the Convention might with advantage exchange views regarding alternative methods of achieving a reduction in tariff barriers. His Majesty's Government did not feel able to adopt this method of procedure, as the whole question of the steps which may be taken for this purpose and for securing generally a freer flow of trade was being discussed at Geneva by the Preparatory Commission of Experts for the Monetary and Economic Conference, and will be further discussed by Governments when the Conference meets.