§ 7. Mr. ROBERT HUDSONasked the Secretary of State for Colonial Affairs whether he is aware that the average price of rubber for 27 out of the 30 months that the Stevenson scheme has been in operation was under Is. 3d. a lb.; and what was the average price of rubber in the 10 years before the War?
§ Mr. AMERYI am aware that for seven out of the 11 quarterly periods during which the scheme has been in operation the average price has been below Is. 3d. a lb. For the 10 years before the War I understand that the yearly average varied between 7s. 7½d. a lb. in 1910 to 2s. 4d. a lb. in 1914.
§ 13. Mr. GERALD HURSTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the high price of rubber, caused by the continued enforcement of the Stevenson scheme and to its effect upon employment in England, he will increase and expedite the release of stocks for which such scheme provides?
§ Mr. AMERYI would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the statement I made in this House last Monday, and he. will now be aware of the 10 per cent, increase in the percentage of rubber exportable at the minimum rate of duty, which has been authorised as from the 1st of August.