§ 16. Mr. MANDERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether it is the policy of the Empire Marketing Board to advise the public not to purchase any goods from outside the confines of the British Empire except when this cannot be avoided; and whether this policy has the approval of the Government?
§ Mr. LUNNThe policy of the Empire Marketing Board, which is approved by 194 the Government, is to invite the public, in so far as price and quality are satisfactory, to choose first the produce of the home country and next the produce of the Empire countries overseas.
§ Mr. MANDERDo I understand from the hon. Gentleman's reply that, if articles can be purchased from within the British Empire, no purchases should take place from any foreign country?
§ Mr. LUNNThe hon. Member will understand quite clearly that preference should be given to home or Empire goods.
§ Mr. MANDERMay I ask whether, supposing that all the articles can be purchased in the British Empire, then the Government advise that no purchases should take place from foreign countries?
§ Mr. LUNNProvided that the price of the article and the quality are satisfactory, we think that all purchases might be within the Empire.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESWill the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of inviting people to sell British goods as well as to buy them?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the Under-Secretary ask the right hon. Gentleman who puts that question to give that advice to his own supporters?