HC Deb 10 December 1929 vol 233 cc227-9
26. Mr. SIMON

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give an estimate showing approximately how many men would be given employment directly and indirectly by the carrying out of the convention with the Argentine Government, under which £9,000,000 worth of Argentine Government orders are to be placed in this country within the next two years?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I fear it is not possible to give any such estimate.

Mr. SIMON

Would it be correct to say that this convention is one of the biggest things that has been done for unemployment in this country since the present Government took office?

Mr. GRAHAM

It is by no means unimportant.

Sir H. CROFT

When the right hon. Gentleman comes to collect the statistics, will he also see whether he can give the number of farmers and agricultural labourers employed in this country and in Canada who might possibly be affected?

Mr. GRAHAM

I think the last supplementary question is based on a misapprehension. I have just indicated that it is impossible to give an estimate on the lines of the question put by the hon. Member for Withington (Mr. Simon).

28. Mr. HANNON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the promised concession on the part of the Government of the Argentine of a reduction of the Import Duty on artificial silk goods entering that country from Great Britain, he has any information if a similar reduction of duty will be given by the Argentine Government to other countries under commercial agreements under a most-favoured-nation clause arrangement?

Mr. GRAHAM

I understand that this matter is engaging the attention of the Argentine Government, but I have not yet heard whether they have come to any conclusion.

Mr. HANNON

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that, in point of fact, in the commercial agreements which the Argentine Government have with this country there is a most-favoured-nation clause?

Mr. GRAHAM

That is quite true, but we have always explained that it is no part of our policy to ask for preferential treatment for ourselves. I have given in my answer all the information on this point that I have at this stage.

Mr. HANNON

If it is no part of the policy of the Government to ask for preferential treatment for British trade, what does the Convention with the Argentine Government amount to?

Mr. GRAHAM

The answer is that it is of very considerable value to this country.

Mr. HARRIS

Does it not seem a pity to depreciate the concession which the Argentine Government has given to us?

Mr. MATTERS

Was it not precisely to arrange such an agreement as this that the late Government appointed the D'Abernon mission?

30. Mr. HANNON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the overture recently made by the Argentine Government in regard to the reduction of the Import Duty on silk and artificial silk goods imported from the United Kingdom on condition that no restrictions be placed upon the exportation of Argentine wheat and meat to this country, he can state the total quantity of wheat, wheatmeal, flour, and meat, chilled and frozen, imported into this country from the Argentine and from Australia, respectively, and the value of the total exports of silk and artificial silk and the products thereof to the Argentine and to Australia, respectively; and whether any negotiations are in progress or in contemplation with the Commonwealth of Australia before the conclusion of the proposed agreement with the Argentine?

Mr. GRAHAM

The reply takes the form of a table of figures, which I will circulate with the OFFICIAL BEPORT. AS regards the second part of the question I would refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 27th November, to the hon. Members for Richmond (Sir N. Moore) and Devizes (Mr. Hurd).

Mr. HANNON

Is the President of the Board of Trade prepared to give an undertaking to the House that no con-

THE FOLLOWING TABLE shows the total imports of Wheat, Wheat Meal and Flour, and of Meat, chilled and frozen, into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year 1928, consigned from the Argentine Republic and from Australia, respectively.
Description. Imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland consigned from:
Argentine Republic. Australia.
Cwts. Cwts.
Wheat … 24,399,294 10,233,345
Wheat Meal and flour … 820,716 980,568
Meat, Chilled and Frozen:—
Beef … 9,413,063 1,012,252
Veal … 16,225 152
Mutton and Lamb … 1,511,468 546,527
Pork … 57,803 766
Rabbits … — 146,722
Other … 835 —
Total quantity of meat, chilled and frozen … 10,999,394 1,706,419
Total declared value of above … £43,488,534 £11,250,472
THE FOLLOWING TABLE shows the declared value of the exports of Silk, Artificial Silk and Manufactures thereof (except Apparel and Embroidery) and of Stockings and Hose of Silk and Artificial Silk, from Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the year 1928, consigned to the Argentine Republic and to Australia, respectfully.
Description. Exports, the produce and manufactures of the United Kingdom, consigned to:
Argentine Republic. Australia.
£ £
Silk and Manufactures thereof (except Apparel and Embroidery). 67,918 380,211
Artificial silk and Manufactures thereof (except Apparel and Embroidery). 131,559 1,530,715
Hosiery: Stockings and Hose of Silk and Artificial Silk. 2,460 66,607