§ 13. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a further statement as to the result of the negotiations with the German Government in connection with the recent additional restrictions which have been placed on the importation of British coal into Germany?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statements which I have already made on this subject.
§ Mr. BATEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to make a statement on this important matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, I am afraid that I cannot give any definite date. Communications are still passing between us and the German Government on the subject.
§ Mr. BATEYWill the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement when the House meets again?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, I hope to be able to do so then.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that this is retaliatory action, or only in the normal course of restricting imports?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANSo far as I know, there is nothing retaliatory about the action of the German Government. They have taken this step for other reasons.