§ 10. Mr. MALLALIEUasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the resolution passed by the representatives of some 30 countries at the inter-parliamentary congress held last September at Istambul, that it is necessary to reduce restrictions upon trade in order to remove the world depression, and that Great Britain is best fitted to take a lead in this matter despite the failure of the World Economic Conference; and what steps has the Government taken to profit by this willingness on the part of so many nations to follow a policy which it supports?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE (Secreary, Overseas Trade Department)I have examined the printed text of the resolutions adopted by the Conference but can find no trace of a resolution on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. MALLALIEUWas not a very strong view expressed by some 30 of the delegates that restrictions should be abolished, and did they not call upon this Government to make a move in that direction?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe hon. Member refers to a resolution and his Question has caused considerable research to be made. We have carefully examined the report of the congress and we find no trace of any such resolution.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the present Government have made considerable progress in regard to trade treaties, and have set an example to the world in that respect?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEYes, Sir, I think we are almost alone in having reduced trade barriers.
§ Mr. MALLALIEUOn a point of Order. The text of my original Question did not refer to a resolution of any sort, and I think there must have been some mistake. "The views expressed by 30 delegates" were the words which I used.