§ 47. Mr. LAWSONasked the President of the Board of Trade the nature of the resolution received from the exporting interests of the North-east Coast in respect of the German quota; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?
§ Mr. COLVILLEThe resolution moved by the Newcastle-on-Tyne Chamber of Commerce and adopted at the recent meeting of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce calls attention to the restrictions placed upon the importation of British coal into Germany and rages that in the absence of an immediate settlement appropriate action should at once be taken in regard to German imports into this country. Further strong representations in the matter were made to the German Government by His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin on the 19th April, and a reply is expected shortly.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that the bargaining power of his duties is not so promptly effective as he said it would be?
§ Mr. COLVILLEThe hon. Member had better await the reply of the German Government.
§ Mr. LAWSONDid the resolution state that pits were being closed in the north of England as a result of this policy?
§ Mr. COLVILLENo, Sir. But I am aware of the effect of the German restrictions on the British coal trade.