§ MR. SEAVERNS (Lambeth, Brixton)I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in a recent ballot in the London Chamber of Commerce, in which a majority of the members voting supported a resolution favouring Colonial Preference and Production, the majority of the Chamber declined to express any opinion whatever; whether the number of those supporting the resolution was one-third only of the total membership; and whether, in these circumstances, he will attach such importance to the resolution as it deserves.
§ *MR. EVELYN CECIL (Aston Manor)asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the decision was arrived at after a poll in which members could vote by proxy?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am not aware. I have no doubt that my hon. friend's statement is in accordance with the facts, though I cannot say that I have verified it myself. I am quite prepared to attach to the resolution only such importance as it deserves.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINasked whether the right hon. Gentleman knew if an equal number of members of the Chamber had voted on any previous occasion.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am not aware.