§ 53. Mr. MANDERasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the recommendation of the World Economic Conference in Geneva, May, 1929, in regard to the suppression of unfair commercial practices and of the endorsement of the recommendation by the Council of the League of Nations, the Government will urge the League of Nations to take action leading to the conclusion of a convention on bribery whereby this practice may be made specifically criminal in all the signatory States, and legal redress, civil and criminal, shall be assured by the contracting countries which accede to the convention?
§ Mr. GILLETTI assume that the hon. Member has in mind a resolution of the World Economic Conference of 1927, recommending that the economic committee should continue its work in connection with the suppression of unfair commercial practices. That resolution was not concerned specifically with bribery, but subsequently the International Chamber of Commerce, at its Congress in 1929, adopted a resolution in the terms used in the question. This resolution was officially communicated to the League of Nations and referred for examination to the Economic Committee, who have, I understand, made inquiries through certain of their members on this subject with a view to its consideration when opportunity offers.
§ Mr. MANDERIs not the hon. Gentleman aware how widespread this abominable system is; and will he take steps to press upon the League of Nations the necessity for taking some action?
§ Mr. GILLETTThere is a British member on this committee, and his attention has already been drawn to the hon. Member's question.