§ 42. Sir PERCY HURDasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that, in pursuance of the Government policy of home first and Empire second, all future trade agreements shall include a clause to deter the sale in this country of foreign surplus produce at knock-out prices to the detriment of British and British Empire producers; and if he will invite the Dominion Governments to make a corresponding provision in their trade agreements with foreign countries?
§ Lieut. -Colonel COLVILLEHis Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have constantly in mind possible difficulties arising from the sale in this country of imports at unduly low prices; but in making agreements with foreign countries each case must be considered on its merits.
Sir P. H U R DIn the case of the negotiations which are now pending with Holland, will a clause of this character be put into the agreement?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI cannot forecast what clauses will be in the agreement, but the question is being borne in mind.
§ Sir P. HURDIs it being borne in mind with a view to protecting the interests of British producers?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEYes, Sir.
§ 50. Mr. LAMBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will present a list of agricutlural commodities imported into Great Britain that are sold here at prices below those at which they are sold in the country of origin; and also specifying the countries of origin and the differential prices at which they are sold?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)No, Sir. My right hon. Friend will find, in the "Monthly Crop Report and Agricultural Statistics" issued by the International Institute of Agriculture and the quarterly review of the International Institute of Statistics, particulars of the prices in a number of countries of certain agricultural products, but it is necessary to point out that such quotations may not in all cases relate to products of comparable qualities.
§ Mr. LAMBERTWill the Board of Trade let us know exactly what products are being dealt in in this country at prices less than those at which they are sold in the country of origin?
§ Dr. BURGINThe total quantity of foodstuffs imported into this country is, of course, very large, and my right hon. Friend will find on reflection that any compilation of statistics of all that volume of trade would be an immense undertaking; and if, at the end, you were not comparing like with like, the result would hardly be satisfactory. The point that my right hon. Friend has in mind is kept very closely under consideration.
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not clear, from the question and answer that are now before the House, that the time has come when His Majesty's Government should introduce an Anti-Dumping Bill?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIn view of the statement of the hon. Gentleman that reports in these publications—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot have a debate on the matter.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEWith great deference, it is a most important matter—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am afraid we must get on.