42. Mr. G. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British West Indian Colonies have recently granted a substantial preference on British-manufactured goods for a definite period of 10 years; whether, with a view to securing that these Colonies and other Crown Colonies and Protectorates 8 shall place as many orders as possible in this country, thus assisting unemployment, the Government will consider the desirability of guaranteeing the continuance of Imperial preference for a like period of 10 years by the introduction of a short Act of Parliament to this effect, thus eliminating the present uncertainty as to the value of the Imperial preference now granted to the Overseas possessions by reason of its being an annual measure embodied in the Finance Act, and so subject to abolition at very short notice?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am aware that most of the West Indian Colonies have extended to the United Kingdom the benefits of the preferential tariff arranged with Canada for a period of ten years. Representations have been received that the preference accorded by the United Kingdom should be assured to these Colonies for a similar period, and this suggestion is now being carefully examined.