§ 29. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any progress has been made in the conversations with the Japanese Government regarding Japanese competition in British Colonial markets?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Members for Stockport (Mr. Hammersley and Captain Dower) on the 15th June, to which I have as yet nothing to add.
§ 26. Mr. H. WILLIAMS (for Mr. MITCHESON)asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange to publish a White Paper showing the increase of Japanese competition in the United Kingdom and in the markets of the Empire overseas?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI do not think that the labour and expense involved in preparing a White Paper on the lines suggested would be justified. The Monthly Trading Accounts give up-to-date information regarding the United Kingdom market, and such information as is obtainable regarding other markets is available from published sources.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIn view of the fact that a great many of our monthly trade entries do not discriminate the countries from which the goods come, for example in the case of rubber shoes from Czechoslovakia, would it not be desirable to have the information supplied in view of the anxiety that prevails.
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI will look into the question further but, as at present advised, it appears inadvisable to publish a special Paper as most of the information is at present available.