HC Deb 02 May 1932 vol 265 cc796-7
40. Lord SCONE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will invite representatives of the Danish Government to a conference, with a view to arranging a commercial treaty whereby Denmark, in return for importing an increased quantity of British materials and manufactures, would become entitled to some of the fiscal advantages enjoyed by British Dominions and Colonies?

Mr. COLVILLE

As has already been made clear, negotiations of such a character could not in any case be under taken until after the Imperial Conference at Ottawa.

Lord SCONE

Is my hon. Friend aware that it will be a very considerable time before this country can produce enough bacon and other products to satisfy our needs, and, during that time, is not Denmark, a country consistently friendly to this country, much more worthy of our custom than the Irish Free State?

Mr. COLVILLE

His Majesty's Government will be glad to consider any proposal which Denmark may put forward after the Ottawa Conference.

Sir P. HARRIS

Are we to understand that no commercial negotiations can go on with Denmark, however willing Den mark may be?

Mr. COLVILLE

It has already been stated that no arrangements can be made which will stand in the way of our deliberations at Ottawa.

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