§ 24. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the contract under which Timber Distributors, Limited, is importing a large quantity of Russian timber at low prices is likely to frustrate the value of the preference given to Canadian and other Empire timber under the Ottawa Agreements; and if any statement to this effect has been conveyed to the company in question?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe contract, to which my hon. Friend refers, was discussed with the directors of Timber Distributors, Limited, who were made fully aware of the position under Article 21 of the United Kingdom-Canadian Agreement.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the contract referred to in the question will not interfere with the due carrying out by the British Government of Article 21 of the Agreement?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have made it clear to those who are concerned that, if there is any infringement of the stipulations of Article 21, that Article will remain in force.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman still regard it as a crime to buy cheap timber from Russia or anywhere else?