§ MR. HAROLD COXI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statement by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce that the new Australian tariff will cause serious loss of employment in numerous industries in this country; and whether he will consider the advisability of relieving the taxpayers of this country at the earliest possible moment from the expense they now incur in connection with the naval squadron specially maintained for the defence of Australia.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling BurghsI am not aware whether or not the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce have made any statement of so general a kind. They have stated in a letter addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies that great losses will be suffered by exporters from this country in respect of contracts already under execution by the enforcement of the new Australian tariff. The Answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative, as an entirely different set of considerations are involved in the maintenance of the naval agreement with Australia and New Zealand.
§ MR. HAROLD COXWill the right hon. Gentleman consult the hon. Member for East Worcestershire or the Hon. Member for Dulwich as to the form of retaliation they would adopt?
§ [No Answer was returned.]