§ SIR CHARLES MCLAREN (Leicestershire, Bosworth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any information is being asked for by his Department from the Chambers of Commerce, trade societies, and trades' unions of the United Kingdom as to the effect of preferential tariffs and differential duties upon the interests and the trades they represent.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe answer is in the negative.
§ SIR CHARLES MCLARENMay I ask whether, considering the importance of the subject, the right hon. Gentleman will take steps to see that this is done.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI think it would be very undesirable to address questions on this subject to Chambers of Commerce.
§ SIR CHARLES MCLARENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the trades unions and Chambers of Commerce have been considering the subject and have passed resolutions.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThat is a very different thing from the Government putting official questions to Chambers of Commerce.