HC Deb 14 December 1933 vol 284 cc541-2
82. Mr. SUTCLIFFE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will instruct the governors of the various Crown Colonies and territories to make an analysis of the effects of Japanese competition upon our own goods in their respective areas and to forward the information thus obtained to this country?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

I am in frequent correspondence with Colonial administrations on this matter, and I am satisfied that adequate information is available in the special reports on particular aspects of it which are made to me by Governors whenever necessary and in the trade returns, which I have arranged shall in future show in all cases the true country of origin of imports, so far as it is ascertainable. Special investigations are therefore, I think, unnecessary and could not be expected to produce sufficient additional information to justify the labour and expense involved.

Mr. ALEXANDER RAMSAY

What is my right hon. Friend proposing to do with regard to the information that he has?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

That does not seem to arise from the original question.