§ 32. Mr. THURTLEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any information tending to show that the policy of restriction of output imposed upon British rubber plantations is enabling other rubber producers, particularly the Dutch, to expand at the expense of British producers?
§ Mr. AMERYThe hon. Member is no doubt aware that a large proportion of rubber producers in the Dutch East Indies are voluntarily adherents of the restriction scheme. The stabilisation of prices at a not unremunerative level in consequence of that scheme must obviously benefit all producers who are not subject to restriction, but I see no reason to suppose that in the long run the effects will be disadvantageous to British interests.
§ Mr. CAMPBELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that the time has come when it would be advisable to form a small independent committee to go into the whole question and advise him as to the advantage or otherwise of retaining the Stevenson scheme?
§ Mr. AMERYI have the advantage of advice from a strong committee representing the various interests concerned, and I am continually taking the advantages or disadvantages of a scheme into consideration.
§ Dr. WATTSIs it not a fact that the Stevenson restriction scheme has saved British rubber plantations from ruin and bankruptcy?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not also the case that the Dutch who did not accept the restrictions, were comparatively few in number, and that through tapping their trees they, to a large extent, damaged their plantations?