§ 53. Mr. HANNONasked the Prime Minister whether he is giving consideration to the tendency which obtains in certain Dominions, Colonies, and Dependencies for an increase of tariff duties for the protection of secondary industries 1842 within these component parts of the British Empire; and if he will consider the desirability of making an effort to establish a broad economic policy within the Empire, with the object of creating inter-Imperial agreements in relation to the industries in which Dominions, Colonies, and Dependencies should specialise?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI feel sure that my hon. Friend will appreciate that this subject is not one which could be dealt with adequately by means of Parliamentary question and answer. As regards the latter part of the question, I would only add that arrangements by industries for complementary development in different parts of the Empire would appear to be advantageous; but it is obvious that such arrangements could only be the result of negotiations within the industries themselves.