§ 5. Sir FRANK SANDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that linseed imported from the Argentine to the United Kingdom amounted to only 95,151 tons for the five months ended 31st May last, compared with 148,559 during the same period of last year, a reduction of approximately 37 per cent.; that the amount of linseed imported from India to the United Kingdom during the first five months of this year is only 11,948 tons, being approximately 6 per cent. of normal requirements; and if, as India is unable to supply our requirements, he will take steps to have the 10 per cent. import duty upon Argentine linseed removed until India, or other British Dominions, can supply this commodity to the United Kingdom at prices not exceeding the world prices and in quantities sufficient to supply our requirements"
§ Dr. BURGINI am aware that the quantities of linseed imported were as stated. The duty on linseed was imposed in accordance with the United Kingdom-Indian Agreement concluded at Ottawa. The Government of India expects that the duty will result in India obtaining a much larger share of the United Kingdom market and I observe in this connection that the quantity of linseed imported from India in the first five months of 1933 was nearly six times greater than in the corresponding period of 1932.
§ Sir F. SANDERSONIs the Minister aware that the total amount of linseed exported from India to this country is less than 6 per cent. of Our requirements, and does he not regard it as very serious 905 that on a raw material which we are unable to obtain from any other Dominion there should be a 10 per cent, duty imposed upon Argentine linseed; and will he see that such duty is withdrawn until such time as the Dominions are able to supply us with our requirements at prices which are competitive?
§ Dr. BURGINThe position of the linseed industry is well known in the Department and will be watched from time to time.
§ Sir F. SANDERSONThis matter is really most serious, and I would urge upon the Minister—