HC Deb 14 March 1934 vol 287 cc350-1
10. Mr. CHORLTON

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give a statement for the first two months of this year of imports into the Colonies of Japanese goods together with those from this country, with the equivalent figures for last year?

Mr. M. MacDONALD

I regret that this information is not yet available.

Mr. CHORLTON

What action does the hon. Gentleman now propose to take, in view of the negotiations that have been going on between the trade delegations having broken down?

Mr. MacDONALD

That is not a matter that I can answer, but we are ready to give any assistance that we can in helping trade negotiations to be successful.

Mr. CHORLTON

But the negotiations having definitely broken down to-day, we in Lancashire, where the matter is important, want to know what action the Colonial Office is going to take with reference to these particular goods?

Mr. MacDONALD

Obviously, I should require notice of that question.