§ MR. J. M. HENDERSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, consequent upon the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1906, and the action of various trade associations in making public the provisions thereof, offers of secret commission to agents are now being extensively circulated in this country from firms writing from abroad, the offer in some cases amounting to a, very large percentage on the amount of the order sent to the foreign firms in question; and whether he will give the matter his attention at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEMy attention has already been called to this matter and a notice was published in the Board of Trade Journal for 21st February last in which it was pointed out that the acceptance of any such offers from foreign firms renders agents in this country liable to penalties under the Act. I trust that the efforts which I understand are being made by various associations of British traders to put an end to the practice, will be successful.