§ 4. Vice-Admiral TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the advisability of terminating the Anglo-French Convention relating to our West African Colonies, in view of the large proportion of foreign exports going into these Colonies?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The position is receiving careful consideration, and steps are being taken to consult the trade interests concerned.
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in 1929, the latest year for which I have the statistics, the foreign imports into Nigeria and the Gold Coast amounted to some £18,000,000 in value, and from this country to some £10,000,000, and, in view of that fact and in the interests of British trade, will he not take steps in order to give this country a free hand in fiscal matters with our own Colonies?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the welfare of the natives of these Colonies and not simply the interests of the traders?
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORCan I have an answer?