§ 32. Sir PARK GOFFasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the board of the Suez Canal Company has, during the period 1929–33, increased its purchases of British cement as compared with the period 1924–29?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The answer is in the affirmative.
§ 48. Mr. BURNETTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British official directors on the board of the Suez Canal Company have informed their French colleagues on the board of the dissatisfaction felt by British firms about the terms and methods by which 928 the Suez Canal Company calls for tenders for the supply of material; and, if so, will he state whether the efforts of the British official directors have succeeded in removing the difficulties complained of and, if such is not the case, will he say what explanation has been given by the three official British directors?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)Neither the Foreign Office nor the Department of Overseas Trade has received any complaints on this subject during the last year or two. I am, moreover, informed that no British firm has complained within recent years to the official directors that it has been debarred from tendering for material required by the Suez Canal Company. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of any particular complaints which he has in mind I will see that they are investigated.