§ 31. Mr. HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade the text of the de claration of Government policy which is to be made to the Argentine Government, especially in respect of any restriction of any kind, except as affects disease, on the importation of foreign food stuffs into this country?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMDiscussions with the Argentine Government are still proceeding, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.
§ Mr. HURDMay I ask whether, before a declaration of British policy is made, an opportunity will be given to this House of expressing an opinion, especially in view of the Imperial Economic Conference?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am quite sure that that point really does not arise, because the only declaration of policy in this case would be one to the effect that we do not propose to put taxes on imported foodstuffs in this country, and that, I imagine, does not require any discussion in this House, since I understand it is not proposed by any political party.
§ Mr. HURDMay I ask whether the declaration, according to the words of the British Ambassador, does not also include an inhibition of any restrictions of any kind?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThere is certainly a reference to that. I could not to-day go into details, but, broadly, the declaration is one in the sense I indicated in reply to the first supplementary question.
§ Mr. WISEMay we understand that there is nothing in this declaration which would prevent this country placing under national control its imports of wheat and meat?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat raises a much larger issue, of which I should require notice, but I can say this, that there is nothing in this declaration or in what is proposed which, in my view, prevents this House or this country taking action in any direction it chooses.