§ 1. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now completed inquiries into the private agreement between Canadian and British producers of glazed and unglazed paper; and, if so, will he state the results?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)I am informed that an understanding has been reached 3 between the British and Canadian manufacturers of unglazed and machine glazed kraft paper regarding the limitation of competition in their respective home markets and that this understanding is entirely satisfactory to the British industry.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIf monopolies in this country and any of the Dominions enter into arrangements to restrain trade and to exploit consumers in each country, have we any power to deal with them?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir. I am afraid we have not.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that in any such case he has no power to interfere to prevent undue exploitation of the general public by these monopolies?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot give a general answer to a general question of that kind. With reference to the question on the Paper, I have no power to intervene.