§ 14. General CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the restrictions on the importation of all classes of feathers have been removed?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThere is at present no restriction on the importation of feathers of any kind.
§ General CROFTIs it considered desirable that these useless and unnecessary luxuries should be imported here in view of the danger of increasing the indebtedness of the country; and does the right hon. Gentleman remember a deputation on this subject where very different assurances were given?
§ Sir A. GEDDESAs I have already answered, I think, on more than one occasion in this House, a Bill has been prepared in regard to the plumage trade, and it is ready; but, in view of the shortened available Parliamentary time, we have been unable to bring it in, nor can I hold out any hope of it being brought in in the near future.
§ General CROFTIs that any reason why these useless luxuries should be paid for, thus affecting the financial situation, and could the right hon. Gentleman not, in this case at any rate, consider the discontinuance of the licences?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe total amount involved is very small. Our policy has two sides—the financial and the natural side, the latter the preservation of valuable and beautiful bird life. As to the former, the thing is so small that it would not be worth while reimposing the restrictions.