10. Sir GEORGE HAMILTON (for Mr. NALL-CAIN)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Holland is negotiating or has concluded a trade agreement with Germany for the supply of copra, palm oil, oil seeds, &c., from the Dutch Colonies to the exclusion of similar products from British Colonies; and whether he proposes to take further steps to protect British interests by levying duties on foreign oils and oil seeds, including Sumatra palm oil, or by some other means?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that statements have appeared in the German 1730 Press to the effect that an agreement has been signed regarding trade between Germany and the Netherland East Indies, but the text of the agreement is not yet available. Foreign vegetable oils and most foreign oil-bearing materials are subject to duty under the Import Duties Act or the Ottawa Agreements Act.