§ 10. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make a statement as to the progress of the negotiations with the Netherlands Government with a view to the restriction of the production or shipment of rubber from British and Dutch possessions, so as to avoid the collapse of the rubber-planting industry?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. J. H. Thomas)No negotiations on the subject are being conducted.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time has come, considering the distress in those areas of the British Empire, that negotiations should be undertaken?
§ Mr. THOMASThe question put to me was whether I could make a statement on the progress of negotiations. I have answered that there are no negotiations. If the hon. Member will put down a question of broad principle, I will answer it on its merits.