§ 49. Major WHELERasked the Prime Minister whether, before any decisions are taken on the expenditure of the State grant of one million sterling to encourage the importation to this country of Empire overseas produce, he will allow a full discussion of the matter in the House of Commons in order to insure that, whilst encouraging the importation of such produce, the position of the home producer is not injuriously affected
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo expenditure can be incurred on this service until the necessary Vole has been passed by the House of Commons. When a full scheme has been prepared, an Estimate will be presented, and there will thus be abundant opportunity for discussion. Meanwhile, I should like to take this opportunity of repeating the assurance already given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that great care will be taken in the administration of this policy to make sure that no injustice is done to home producers.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERDoes that mean that there will be no discussion in this House until after the Imperial Economic Committee has considered the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would not like to say that. The discussion of principle will, obviously, come on the Colonial Office Estimates, because the Colonial Secretary will desire to gay something on it.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the home consumer be considered when this matter is discussed, and not simply the home producer?
§ Mr. HURDSeeing that at the Imperial Conference every one of the Dominion representatives said that he agreed that the first place must be given to the British producer in the British market, could not we have a discussion on the subject before the Committee makes its Report?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said that the discussion will obviously arise on the Colonial Office Estimates.