§ 18. Mr. SUTCLIFFEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the various resolutions urging the Government to reconsider the Imperial Preference granted to Ceylon, any action along these lines is proposed?
Mr. M. MacDONALDThe question of preferences between Ceylon and this country involves consideration of various matters, and I am afraid that it is not possible to make any further statement on the subject at present beyond that made in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Accrington (Major Procter) on the 31st of January.
§ Mr. SUTCLIFFEIn view of the fact that we imported £8,126,000 worth of tea from Ceylon in 1933, will the Government consider making further representations in the matter?
§ Mr. HANNONHas not the friendly arrangement with Ceylon gone on much too long? Is it not time that His Majesty's Government asserted itself in this matter?
Mr. MacDONALDI can add nothing to what I have said, but I would point out that under the arrangement with Ceylon a large proportion of our imports into the island get a preference to-day.
Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMANIf this question were to be put down three months hence would the hon. Member then be able to give an answer?
§ Sir JOHN HASLAMIs the hon. Member aware that it is nearly two years since the Ottawa Conference; and also that I have asked four or five questions of a similar nature, and that each time the reply was that negotiations were proceeding. Surely there is a time limit in the matter.