1. Mr. PRICEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that six months before the Ottawa Conference the Canadian Government entered into a, private agreement with the Aberfoyle Manufacturing Company of the United States, promising to place a tariff of 25 per cent. on mercerised cotton yarns imported from foreign countries on condition that this company established a branch plant in Canada; and whether he was informed of this agreement at the time of the Ottawa Conference?
Mr. J. H. THOMASI have no information as regards the matter referred to in the first part of the question. I would point out, however, that under the Agreement between this country and Canada mercerised cotton yarns of counts of 40 or finer from the United Kingdom are granted entry free of Customs duty into Canada, the duty under the intermediate and general tariffs being 25 per cent.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYThe right hon. Gentleman says that he has no information, but is he aware that the statement was publicly made in the Canadian Houses of Parliament? Is he further aware that this state of affairs has completely vitiated the advantages of the Ottawa Agreement in this respect?
Mr. THOMASI am not concerned with what statements were made either in the Press or Parliament, but, if my hon. Friend will study my answer, he will see that the Ottawa Agreement is given effect to and that we are getting benefit in this particular respect.