HC Deb 10 June 1931 vol 253 cc1006-7
56. Mr. MANDER

asked the President of the Board of Trade what the attitude was of His Majesty's Government to the suggestion of M. Litvinov at the session of the Commission of Inquiry for European Union on 18th May, at Geneva, that the States represented on the Commission should adopt a joint declaration, subsequently to be converted into an international convention, making it compulsory to sell on the home market at prices not higher than on the foreign market?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)

While M. Litvinoff did indeed foreshadow, at the meeting of the Commission of Inquiry for European Union, a proposal on the lines indicated in the question, the draft resolution which he submitted to the Commission was of a different character, and I am circulating its text in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Commission decided to refer this resolution to its Economic Co-ordination Sub-Committee, which will meet at a later date.

Mr. MANDER

As this is a proposal to stop dumping will not the Government do all they can to support it?

Mr. SMITH

I have not the slightest doubt that the matter will receive consideration.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not the case that Russia at this conference offered to do away with dumping entirely, just as they offered to disarm if the rest would disarm?

Following is the text of the draft resolution: 1. The contracting parties once more solemnly confirm the principle proclaimed at the International Economic Conference of 1927, of the peaceful coexistence of countries, irrespective of their social-political and economic systems. 2. The parties undertake not to adopt, in their relations with each other, any discrimination whatsoever, and regard the adoption in any of their countries of a special attitude militating against the interests of one or any of the countries subscribing to this Protocol as incompatible with its principles.