HC Deb 30 November 1933 vol 283 cc1051-2
74. Mr. LYONS

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs which of the industries submitted for review by His Majesty's Government have actually been heard by the Tariff Board of Canada, in pursuance of the Ottawa Agreement?

The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

The inquiries which are being held by the Canadian Tariff Board in pursuance of the Ottawa Agreement relate to particular commodities specified by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. I understand that the Board have already held their inquiries into a number of the items affecting woollen goods contained in the list which I handed to my hon. and learned Friend on 28th November.

Mr. LYONS

May I take it then that out of that long list of trades, only one application has actually been heard by the tribunal in Ottawa?

Mr. THOMAS

I do not understand what the hon. and learned Member means. The Board is there for the purpose of hearing cases from this side in accordance with the Agreement. If he infers that our own people are so indifferent to their own interests, I cannot accept that as being the position. On the other hand, I have indicated to him that as far as may information goes every case submitted to the Board is being heard.

Mr. LYONS

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman told the House that, although the cases of a number of trades had been sent by the Department, only one case, namely, that of the woollen industry has, so far, actually been heard by the Tariff Board?

Mr. THOMAS

I did not say anything of the kind. In my previous reply, I gave the hon. and learned Member a list of the trades that had submitted their applications, but the form of the applications and the period in which they are to be heard is a matter for the Tariff Board.