§ 20. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can now make any further statement as to the fate of the Empire Marketing Board after September?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)I am not yet in a position to add to the reply which I gave on the 27th June to a similar question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Halifax (Mr. Gledhill), of which I am sending a copy to the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Captain MACDONALDCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government are going to come to a decision on the matter as there are only three weeks before the Adjournment?
Mr. THOMASIt is not alone a question of the Government coming to a decision. The Empire Marketing Board was established and financed by this country as a substitute, originally, for Imperial preference. Imperial preference now being conceded, we still offer to bear a fair share of continuing this work, but the Dominions did not so express themselves. Therefore, it, is not alone a matter for this Government.
§ Captain MACDONALDIs it not a fact—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe really must get on.