HC Deb 04 February 1930 vol 234 cc1675-6
34. Mr. MOND

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had any requests from representatives of safeguarded industries asking him to receive deputations respecting the future of safeguarding; whether he has acceded to their wishes; and, if not, what has been the nature of his replies?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. As regards the third part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I returned on the 28th January to questions by the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth.

Captain CROOKSHANK

Were not representations in fact made to the Cabinet by the Lord Privy Seal? Does the President of the Board of Trade say he has not seen him?

35. Mr. MOND

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any representations requesting the abolition of Safeguarding Duties from any organisations; whether he has seen any deputations from them on the subject; and, if so, whether he can state the nature of his replies'?

Mr. GRAHAM

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I received in December a deputation from the Free Trade Union on this and other matters, and reminded them of the policy of the Government as already stated in this House.

Mr. MOND

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman, while he is not prepared to receive a deputation from British manufacturers, is prepared to receive deputations from other people who are only interested in the removal of the duties for the benefit of foreign manufacturers? Is that the policy of His Majesty's Government?

Mr. GRAHAM

I have already informed the House that I have received many written representations with regard to these duties, but the policy of the Government has been declared, and if a deputation wishes to continue the duties, we have indicated our opinion that it would be a mere waste of time to receive such a deputation.

Mr. MOND

Will the President of the Board of Trade say why it would be a waste of time to receive deputations! If it is a waste of time to receive deputations in favour of those duties, why is it not a waste of time to receive deputations against them?

Mr. GRAHAM

The position is not as stated by the hon. Member. The Free Trade Union deputation came to me, not on this point only, but on very much wider questions, of which the tariff truce at Geneva was one.

Mr. JAMES HUDSON

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that the hon. Member who put this question with regard to the Free Trade Union has in his father a former President of that body?