§ 18. Sir K. WOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has 182 yet received any replies in relation to the communication he has made to various countries suggesting a reduction of tariffs?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI have nothing at present to add to the answer I gave on this subject on 24th February to the hon. and gallant Members for Paddington, South (Vice-Admiral Taylor), and Dulwich (Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. Hall), of which I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy.
§ Sir K. WOODCannot the right hon. Gentleman answer whether, in fact, he has received any reply?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI explained to the right hon. Gentleman a week ago that requests or representations had only just been addressed to these Governments, and the right hon. Gentleman knows that these negotiations always take time.
§ Sir K. WOODIs not the reply to the question in the negative, and would it not be better to say so?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThere has been no time for a reply.
§ Mr. MILLSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the protected industries in the engineering trade are already demanding increased hours and lower wages?
Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLIs it not a week since this question was put down previously, and surely there has been time for a reply?