§ 8. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give an assurance that in the trade negotiations with the Netherlands he will not undertake any obligations which will limit the power of the Government to protect milk and milk products, whether by duties or quotas?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the results of the negotiations, but I can assure him that all relevant considerations will be borne in mind.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSHaving regard to the fact that when the Danish Treaty was under negotiation we had similar answers, and it ultimately tied us so that we cannot protect our agriculture against Danish imports, does not the right hon. Gentleman realise the anxiety there is respecting these negotiations?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI could not accept my hon. Friend's statement that we cannot protect our agriculture against anything.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill my right hon. Friend say, in those circumstances, when the Government are going to start?
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNIs it not a fact that the Milk Board are asking for protection?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the previous arrangements entered into have been viewed with suspicion by agriculturists in this country, and that they have done a great deal of harm?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI fear the suspicion is groundless.
§ 9. Mr. RANKINasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any statement with regard to the forthcoming Anglo-Dutch trade negotiations; and whether he will arrange that the question of shipping shall be placed on the agenda?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANPreliminary discussions with representatives of the Netherlands Government are being held in London this week and the first meeting took place this morning. The object of these discussions is to determine the scope of any negotiations and in this connection shipping will not be overlooked.