§ 5. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is now in a position to state if the Canadian tariff board have yet some to a decision regarding the commodities which it has been asked by His Majesty's Government to review under Article 13 of the Ottawa Trade Agreement?
Mr. J. H. THOMASI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Birkenhead East (Mr. White) on 2nd May. The Canadian Tariff Board took up its duties on 1st May only, and has not yet, I understand, considered the matters referred to by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. GRAHAM WHITEIs it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to make any representations in this matter, having regard to the fact that the undertaking in the agreement was that the tariff board should be set up forthwith and that there has been a lapse of nine months?
Mr. THOMASThe hon. Member apparently misunderstands the situation. Representations on the matters to be considered by the tariff board have already been made, and the tariff board sat on 1st May. Obviously, if they are considering these representations, and the case presented by the British manufacturers, it would be unwise for me to go into it at this stage.