13. Captain SHAWasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the uneconomic price ruling for rubber, and the consequent effect on the revenue of all Governments concerned, he is prepared to institute negotiations with the Dutch Government and the British Dominions interested in the production of this commodity, with a view to arriving at some means by which the output will be restricted?
§ 14. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to impose any restrictions upon the output and export of rubber in the British Empire?
§ 15. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures the Governments of Malaya and Ceylon propose to take to assist the rubber industry; and what progress, if any, has been made with negotiations between them or between the Government in the United Kingdom and the Dutch authorities?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo measures have been proposed by the Governments of Malaya or Ceylon. I understand that some informal discussions have taken place between various interests concerned. While I should welcome an effective scheme which would improve the position of the industry, in my opinion any such scheme must be comprehensive in the area covered, administratively practicable and effective for the purpose of co-ordinating supply and demand.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYIs it not a fact that unless some control over the production of rubber is re-established this industry is likely to be ruined; and is the right hon. Gentleman in touch with the rubber companies or the Dutch Government on this question?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI should welcome a scheme, but I am quite sure that a scheme to be effective must be complete in the way I have mentioned.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the Colonial Secretary bear in mind the complete and disastrous failure of the Stevenson scheme on the same lines?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not want to go back on the past. I have already said that it is essential that the scheme should be comprehensive in the area covered.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDoes it include the Dutch?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes.