§ MR. J. H. DALZIELI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any reply has been received to the representations made to Foreign Governments in respect to prison-made goods; and what action, if any, the Government propose to take in the matter?
§ MR. RITCHIEThe replies received from Foreign Governments, while sympathetic, do not lead Her Majesty's Government to hope that it will be possible at present to bring about an agreement for common action in the matter. Under these circumstances, the Government consider that, in view of the Resolution unanimously passed by the House of Commons on February 19 last, Parliament should have the opportunity of giving legislative effect to that Resolution. My hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Central Sheffield has, I observe, introduced a Bill with that object. I hope the opportunity desired may be afforded by that Bill.
§ MR. DALZIELasked whether the right hon. Gentleman could lay upon the Table the correspondence which had passed on the subject?
§ MR. LOUGHasked whether a Report from the Indian Government had been received with regard to the carpets manufactured in Indian prisons and their distribution in foreign countries. He would also like to know what action he proposed to take in that matter.
§ MR. RITCHIEI do not myself see the slightest objection to laying the correspondence on the Table; but I will inquire about it. I may say, in reply to the hon. Member for Islington, that we have received a reply from the Indian Government, and the effect of the reply 460 is that they see no objection to the proposed legislation. [Cheers.]
§ MR. RITCHIEI will inquire.