§ 39. Sir JOHN POWERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement with regard to the present position in respect of the convention for the prohibition of export and import restrictions?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMA full statement of the position will be found on page 59 of the Board of Trade Journal of 9th January, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ 43. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will inquire as to the attitude of the principle chambers of commerce and economic groups in France with regard to the proposals for a customs truce?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo, Sir. I see no occasion for such an inquiry.
§ 66. Major COLVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if any of the Dominion Governments have expressed their views regarding the proposed tariff truce; and, if so, whether these views are favourable to the proposal?
§ Mr. GRAHAMCertain statements were made, I understand, by the Governments of India, the Irish Free State, and the Union of South Africa, when communicating to the League of Nations their respective decisions as to participation in the Conference. As the hon. and gallant Member will no doubt be aware, the decisions of the Governments of India and of the Union of South Africa were against participation, and that of the Government of the Irish Free State in favour of it. I understand that the statements which I have mentioned will be published by the League of Nations in due course.
§ Major COLVILLEWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake that no definite action is taken till after the Imperial Conference this autumn, in view of the fact that this truce might stand in the way of the development of Empire economic policy?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI have already indicated to the House, in reply to similar questions, that I cannot give any pledge or undertaking, but I do not think that matters would in fact work out in that way.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes the right hon. Gentleman seriously intend to proceed with this proposal, in view of the opinions expressed by the Dominions and Colonies?
§ Mr. GRAHAMCertainly. There are either 26 or 28 acceptances from European and other countries, and at the forthcoming Conference at Geneva, whatever may be the difficulties, I intend to do my very best in this matter.