HC Deb 24 March 1930 vol 237 c38
76. Colonel HOWARD-BURY

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet devised any method to prevent the dumping of subsidised foreign wheat and oats in this country?

Mr. N. BUXTON

Apart from the proposal to set up an Import Board for the purchase of grain, which is at present being examined by the Government, the only proposals put forward for dealing with this question are precluded by our international obligations. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the question has been raised at Geneva.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Have the Government no policy whatever for stopping this?

Mr. BUXTON

The Convention was designed and signed by the late Government.

Earl WINTERTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the result of the application which was made at Geneva, and what answer was given by His Majesty's Government's representative?

Mr. BUXTON

I cannot say.

Sir PHILIP CUNUFFE-LISTER

Arising out of the answer given by the right hon. Gentleman, is he aware that the President of the Board of Trade, in the Debate on the Tariff Truce, stated in this House that His Majesty's present Government ratified that Convention last December, and that it was open to them by reason of the fact that other countries had not signed—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—not to ratify the Convention? In view of that statement by the President of the Board of Trade, will the right hon. Gentleman cease making the statement which he made just now?

Mr. BUXTON

I said that the Convention was designed by the late Government.

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

You said "signed."

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