§ 76. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, within the last five years, any fresh proposals have been brought to the notice of his Department by any parts of the British Empire in favour of an extension of imperial preference, either on existing articles or on new ones?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENThe answer is in the affirmative.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONWhat action is the right hon. Gentleman taking?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe representations were received during the lifetime of the late Government, and I am not aware that any action was taken by them.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIt is enough for the right hon. Gentleman to be responsible for the sins of his own Government. Will he say what action this Government has taken in regard to these representations?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThese representations have not been received by the present Government. So far as I have been able to ascertain, there were about five in the previous five years, one of which was for a preference on plumbago.