§ 19. Mr. BROOKESasked the Prime Minister if he can make any further statements as to the progress which has been made to carry into effect the recommendations of the Allies' Economic Conference at Paris?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Expert Committees which have been appointed to advise the Board of Trade as to the steps to be taken to secure the possession of various important trades after the War have made considerable progress with their investigations, and a General Committee have been set up, under the chairmanship of Lord Balfour of Burleigh, to report on British commercial policy after the War, with special reference to the Paris recommendations. It has been arranged that the Conference of Technical Delegates to consider the laws relating to industrial property, which was provided for by one of the various resolutions, shall meet at an early date. Progress has also been made in other directions, especially with a view to safeguarding important key industries, but I am not yet in a position to make an announcement on the subject.
§ Sir E. CARSONMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether any legislation will 15 be introduced to prevent, in the event of peace, in accordance with the Paris resolutions, the dumping of German goods?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have not looked into that. Probably it may be necessary, but that particular point has not yet been considered.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLWhen may we expect to have Lord Balfour's Report?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI know that the Committee is sitting very frequently, and the chairman hopes to be able to issue a Report or Interim Report in a very moderate space of time.
§ Mr. MACMASTERAs this is a matter which interests the whole Empire, may I ask whether any arrangements have been made for the representation of the Dominions Overseas on this Committee?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt has already been pointed out to the House more than once that it is intended when the Committee has presented its Report to summon a conference representative of the whole of the Dominions, as well as of the Mother Country.