§ 50. Sir EDWARD CARSONasked when the Imports and Exports Licensing Bill will be proceeded with, and when the promised statement on economic policy will be made?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt would not now be possible to carry the Imports Bill before the Recess, but it is intended to take it immediately after the Adjournment. As regards the statement on economic policy which, in answer to a previous question I had informed my right hon. Friend would be made at an early date, some aspects of this question will be under discussion at the Imperial War Cabinet, and I fear, therefore, that it will not be possible to make the statement before the Adjournment.
§ Sir E. CARSONAm I to assume that the mater is being seriously pursued?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, Sir; I can assure my right hon. Friend it is being as seriously pursued as anything can be.
§ Colonel Sir HAMAR GREENWOODWith reference to the matter being considered by the Imperial War Cabinet, is it not a fact that so far as the Dominion representatives are concerned their minds are made up on the question?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, I think so; but it is a question no matter how much your mind is made up where you must examine the facts.
§ Mr. HOLTCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that no administrative steps will be taken until after a statement has been made and a Debate has taken place upon it in this House?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not know what sort of an assurance is wanted, but this is a problem for after the War, and it is obvious that there will be no rush in connection with the matter.
§ Mr. PRINGLEAre we to understand that the denunciation of the treaties was made without examining the facts?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat would be a misapprehension.
§ Mr. P. A. HARRISWill the right hon. Gentleman give equal consideration to the opinions of this House as he does to the opinions of the Prime Ministers of the Dominions?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy hon. Friend must know that any Government which depends upon the confidence of the House of Commons must attach even more importance to its opinion than it does to those of the Dominion Governments.