§ 50. Major HUNTasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that quantities of manufactured goods are being made and stored in Germany and America for the purpose of being dumped into the United Kingdom at the end of the War and that the fear of this prevents our manufacturers from employing their capital in productive industries, he can see his way to letting the country know at once that sufficient import duties will be imposed after the War to prevent our industries from being swamped by surplus goods from abroad and our working people deprived of employment?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAccording to my present information I cannot accept as proved the statements contained in the first part of the question, for which, indeed, the Government's expert advisers have hitherto, after most careful inquiry, failed to find any evidence. The hon. Member would be doing a public service if he would be good enough to communicate the evidence on which he no doubt bases his statement to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The whole question of trade policy after the War is receiving, and will continue to receive, the most careful consideration of the Government.
§ Major HUNTCannot we have any assurance at all that millions of our people will not be driven back to starvation wages of pre-war days?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHow can I give such an assurance? The Government are doing everything in their power.
§ Major HUNTCan the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that we shall have fair play in our own country and Dominions?