21. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade what international treaties to which Great Britain is a party would be contravened by the passing of legislation to prohibit the importation into this country of products of convict labour or forced labour?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMGoods produced in a foreign prison or other penal institution can be refused admission to this country under existing legislation. Whether a proposal to extend this prohibition to goods produced by forced labour is consistent with our existing Treaty obligations, is a question raising complicated technical considerations with which I could not deal within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.
Sir F. HALLDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that it must have a very injurious effect upon labour in this country if goods produced under forced labour are allowed to come in, and will he not consider whether it is not advisable that some steps should be taken by the Government?
§ Mr. GRAHAMWe have from time to time expressed our view on that. I am quite unable to agree that the proper way to deal with such a situation is by excluding the goods.