§ 37. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs who are the members of the Imperial Economic Committee; on how many occasions has the Committee met since March, 1929; what subjects have been under its consideration; and what action has been taken in respect of its recommendations since that date?
§ Mr. LUNNAs the answer is a long one and contains a list of names and many particulars, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWill the hon. Gentleman give an indication to the House now as to whether this Committee has met at all, and, if so, how often it has met and what useful purpose it serves?
§ Mr. LUNNThe hon. Member will see from the reply that there have been 49 meetings of the Committee and sub-committees since 1st April, 1929,
§ Following is the answer:
§ The members of the Imperial Economic Committee are:
§ The Right Hon. Sir Halford Mackinder (Chairman).
§ United Kingdom: Sir Arthur Balfour, Baronet, K.B.E. Sir Thomas Allen, Mr. H. Snell, M.P., Mr. F. N. Blundell.
§ Canada: Mr. Harrison Watson, Mr. W. A. Wilson.
§ Australia: Mr. F. L. McDougall, C. M. G.
§ New Zealand: Mr. T. M. Wilford, K.C., High Commissioner, Mr. R. S. Forsyth.
§ South Africa: Mr. J. Dimond (one seat vacant).
§ Irish Free State: Mr. J. W. Dulanty, C.B., C.B.E. (one seat vacant).
1269§ Newfoundland: Mr. William C. Job (one seat vacant).
§ India: Sir Atul Chatterjee, K.C.I.E., High Commissioner, Mr. S. Gupta, Mr. H. A. F. Lindsay, C.I.E.. C.B.E., alternate to Sir Atul Chatterjee.
§ Southern Rhodesia: Sir Francis Newton, K.C.M.G., C.V.O.. High Commissioner.
§ Colonies and Protectorates: Sir Gilbert Grindle, K.C.M.G., C.B., Mr. J. H. Batty.
§ Forty-nine meetings of the Committee and sub-committees have been held since 1st April, 1929.
§ A report on improving the methods of preparing pigs and pig products for market and marketing within the United Kingdom has been issued; another on hides and skins is in preliminary draft; a trade survey on rubber manufactured goods is in the Press; a memorandum on the import and export trade of the British Empire in 1913 and in 1925 to 1928 has been issued; inquiries are in progress for a marketing report on tea, coffee and cocoa; and a list of raw materials for possible further marketing inquiries is under consideration.
§ Many of the recommendations suggest action which falls mainly to producers or traders to carry into effect. Those requiring action by Government fall for the most part within the province of the Empire Marketing Board which is largely engaged in carrying out and developing suggestions made by the Imperial Economic Committee.