§ 25. Mr. LYONSasked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has given to the representations of certain dairy and agricultural engineers with reference to the effect upon that industry of the Danish trading agreement; whether he is aware that on 24th March, 1933, the representatives of the industry were seen by the Import Duty Advisory Committee, to whom an application had been made for a higher duty; and for what reasons, notwithstanding these considerations, the duty was reduced without reference to the trade affected?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that the firm to which I understand my hon. Friend refers has approached the Import Duties Advisory Committee, but in regard to the representations of the firm and to the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the statements I have already made to the House.
§ Mr. LYONSCan my right hon. Friend tell me whether it is impossible to reply to the representations that this industry has made to his Department and, further, whether he is aware of the fact that they will be put in great difficulty by the relaxation of a duty about which they were not consulted?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf my hon. Friend has any other question to put, I am afraid that I must ask him for notice.
§ Mr. LYONSIs my right hon. Friend aware that the firm in question have sent the whole of their case to his Department and are awaiting a reply?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf my hon. Friend will give me a chance of looking into the correspondence which has come into the Department, I can give him an answer, but I cannot tell him whether or not a certain firm has been answered.