§ 53. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has anything further to report of the progress in granting increased preferences by various Colonies to the Textile Trade of this country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)The preference granted to the Textile Trade of this country in the Colonial Empire at the beginning of last June are shown in the publication, Colonial No. 72, "Customs tariffs of the non-self-governing Colonies, Protectorates, Mandated Territories, etc." Since that date new or increased preferences have been granted in the Federated and certain Unfederated Malay States, Barbados and the Gambia, on a wide range of textiles and in a number of West Indian Colonies on hosiery.
§ Mr. CHORLTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very great dissatisfaction in Lancashire at the preferences not being increased sufficiently to retain the trade which is now being lost, very largely to an Eastern Power?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIf the hon. Gentleman refers to Japanese competition that raises a rather separate and distinct issue.
§ Mr. REMERHas any progress been made with preferences in the West African Colonies and the West Indies?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIn West Africa, yes. Gambia is included in those mentioned.