45. Captain BENNasked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement as to the Government's policy for the extension of Imperial preference?
§ 56. Mr. HANNONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by the Prime Minister of Australia in a speech at Sydney on the 5th April, wherein ho complained of inequalities in regard to trade preference; and whether, seeing that in 1921 Australia gave a preference to Great Britain representing nearly £9,000,000, while Great Britain's preference to Australia amounted only to £45,000, he will consider the advisability of extending the preferential duties now given to Australia?
§ Mr. BR1DGEMANMy right hon. Friend has seen the Press report of the statement by the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia. It has already been announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, in his speech on the 10th April, that the question of Preference will be included among the subjects considered at the Imperial Economic Conference.
§ Captain W. BENNWould the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? What is the policy of the Government in reference to the extension of Preference? Has the Government a policy, and, if so, what is it?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have given an answer.