§ MR. MANSFIELDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury has his attention been drawn to the Resolution in connection with the proposed changes in the fiscal policy of this country, passed on Tuesday, 22nd July, at a joint meeting of the Cotton Employers' Association and the United Textile Workers' Association at Manchester; and, if so, will lie state what is the Government's policy in regard to the free import of raw materials and food; and, if not, will the representatives of the associations concerned be invited to give evidence as to the effect which would result from the imposition of duties upon these articles before the inquiry into the fiscal policy.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)I have seen the report in question. I am informed, however, that the meeting was not a representative one, and that at a meeting of the association held subsequently some of the proceedings of the earlier meeting were not approved. On that point I have no further information to give to the House. As regards the other portion of the hon. Gentleman's Question, I have already dealt with questions of a similar kind, and I have really nothing to add to what I have already said.
§ MR. MANSFIELDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury has the Government concluded any part of their inquiry into the fiscal policy of this country; if so, will he state which part; and whether it is proposed to publish such parts of the inquiry as they are from time to time completed.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have nothing to say in answer to this Question.