§ 1 and 2. Mr. THOMAS WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether, in connection with the supply to France of tin-plates and steel, the system of having only one buyer, the Comité des Forges, for all British exports from this country to France was initiated and maintained at the request of the British Government; if so, whether the 1552 policy will be reconsidered, in view of the dissatisfaction being expressed amongst manufacturers and merchants both in this country and in France regarding the monopoly at present enjoyed by the Comité des Forges; (2) whether he is aware that the activities of the Comité des Forges de France are giving concern to manufacturers in this country; that this body, which is a private association of the principal French steel works, holds the monopoly of imports into France; that British merchants were, and are now, able to supply tin-plates and steel at much lower prices than the Comité des Forges are now charging the French consumer; and whether he is prepared to receive and consider the views of British merchants on this matter!
§ The MINISTER of BLOCKADE (Lord R. Cecil)I venture to refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Mansfield on the 13th of June, to which I have nothing to add.