§ 46. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the assured support of both opposition 1490 parties, he will introduce immediate legislation to stop the dumping of food products below the cost of production in the countries of origin through the machinery of Government subsidies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty's Government are parties to the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions concluded under the auspices of the League of Nations. A prohibition of the nature suggested would be in conflict with the provisions of this instrument. There are also a number of commercial treaties with individual countries which would have to be denounced before effect could be given to such legislation as the hon. Member proposes. A regards the particular case of the importation of wheat from Germany, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on the 22nd January, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. O. Lewis).
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWill the Government set up a Committee or Commission to inquire into the true facts of the case, in view of the fact that all engaged in the agricultural industry are despairing of the future?
§ Mr. WISEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the introduction of legislation for nationalised imports, a method for ending the results of dumping set out in "Labour and the Nation"?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs a matter of fact, this question has been very carefully considered. The first obstacle to action of the class suggested by the hon. and gallant Gentleman lies in treaties and agreements for which we, at any rate, are not responsible. It certainly is a subject which will have to be most carefully and thoroughly examined, and without delay, and we have come to the conclusion that the first place at which to raise it is Geneva, and that does not mean delay.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMay I ask whether it is not the fact that mass indignation meetings are being held all over Scotland, and whether there are not peculiar facts which ought to be investigated by the Government? In view 1491 of that, will not the right hon. Gentleman appoint a Commission to deal with these particular facts?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, I think a Commission such as I understand my right hon. Friend has in mind would only mean delay. I have seen reports of meetings in Ross-shire and Morayshire. The Government are handling the matter with as great expedition as the circumstances will admit, but the surrounding obstacles are very complicated.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is nothing to prevent us putting on a countervailing duty—
§ Mr. SPEAKERSir Austen Chamberlain.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINDoes the right hon. Gentleman's earlier answer mean that the Government will raise this question at the Economic Conference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs the right hon. Gentleman understands, I do not handle this particular question myself. I must take the information from the Departments concerned. It is a Departmental matter, and if the right hon. Gentleman wants an answer from me, would he be good enough to put a question on the Paper, because I cannot charge my memory with all the details?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe right hon. Gentleman said it was the policy of the Government to bring this matter up at Geneva.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is so.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINIn what body at Geneva does he propose to bring it up? That is all I wish to know.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWell, there is an expert body sitting at the present moment. I really cannot name the expert body, but it is there.
§ Colonel ASHLEYMay I ask the Prime Minister how, if the Government's hands are tied by treaties, Geneva can release them from those treaties? What are they to gain by it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe investigations at Geneva can make the position perfectly clear; and I can inform the 1492 House of this much, that on the Committee which is going to discuss this matter are representatives of Germany, and consequently the Conference at Geneva will be so representative that action can follow upon it.
§ 55. Mr. FISONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to whether the Economic Committee of the League of Nations proposes to institute an inquiry into the effect of the import bond system, as applied to cereals, on agricultural producers in this und other countries?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONI hive nothing to add to the answer I gave on 22nd January to a question by the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. O. Lewis), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. FISONI should like to know whether the Government are taking steps to see than an Economic Committee will be formed to inquire into this matter?
§ Mr. BUXTONI understand that the Economic Committee of the League of Nations, of which the Conference of Experts was a part, will meet in April. The import bond system was referred to that Committee, and it will deal with it in April.