§ 11. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Lord Privy Seal what results have accrued as the outcome of his conferences with the motor industry respecting the export trade of motor vehicles?
Mr. THOMASI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 20th May to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), a copy of which I am sending to him.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWith regard to the latter part of the question, does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that the question of the export trade of motor vehicles is very important, and cannot he say what has been done?
Mr. THOMASI am amazed to find, when I meet people who are heads of the industry to discuss their business with them, that they are not only prepared to make suggestions, but also to give effect to them, though they invariable object to people unconnected with the industry interfering with their work.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWhat is the exact state of the negotiations at the present time?
Mr. THOMASI am not in a position to state, for at the request of those engaged in the industry I am not prepared to answer a question across the Floor of the House on a matter which affects them. There are taking place negotiations for amalgamations, for re-organisation of the industry, and for an increase of our export trade—
Mr. THOMASBecause it would help foreigners who are competing, if I announced details across the Floor of the House.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLErose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe right hon. Gentleman has already given two very full answers.
§ Later—
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEMay I draw attention to a matter arising out of supplementary questions that I asked earlier, on question 11?
§ Mr. THORNEOn a point of Order. When a question has been put and answered, is an hon. Member entitled to raise it again after other questions have been put?
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEMy intervention is on a point of Order. I asked a supplementary question on No. 11, and, in reply, the right hon. Gentleman was understood to convey that it was not the business of Members of Parliament to interfere with industry or with negotiations. I would, in that connection, refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement which he made with regard to the Consett Iron Company, which was a similar case, and, if the right hon. Gentleman calls Members of the House of Commons to account for interfering in matters affecting this industry, I want 971 to ask him whether he agrees with the Prime Minister in having done the same thing.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not see that any point of Order arises.