HC Deb 11 December 1919 vol 122 cc1621-2
68. Mr. REMER

asked whether the Government have considered the consequences of the serious fall in the American sterling exchange; whether it is increasingly important to avoid importation of unnecessary manufactured goods from America; whether such importation, by seriously affecting the exchange, has the, direct result of increasing the cost of foodstuffs and raw material; and, in view of the urgency in question, what steps the Government propose to adopt?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the last part of the question, I hope that the adverse exchange will itself do something to, cheek unnecessary imports. In view of the desirability of not reimposing Governmental control and restrictions on trade if it can be avoided, the Government do not propose to take any special steps beyond continuing their policy of not giving artificial support to the exchanges by borrowing abroad and doing everything in their power to stimulate British export trade.