§ 9. Sir CHARLES CAYZERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what will be the numbers and com position of the advisory panel to be set up under the rubber restriction scheme; how many will be re presentative of British consuming in terests; and what provisions will be made to secure that the advice of the panel will be put into effect to a reasonable extent?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe panel will consist of three members selected by the bodies considered by the International Rubber Regulation Committee to be most representative of rubber manufacturers, and His Majesty's Government have always assumed that one of those bodies will be representative of British interests. As regards the last part of the question, the unique arrangement for an advisory panel representative of consuming interests was made for the express purpose of ensuring that the committee should have the fullest information regarding the views of consumers, and should give them due weight in framing its decisions.
§ 12. Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any conference has been held in connection with the proposed rubber regulation scheme in order to arrive at the steps which it will be necessary to take in order to prevent the smuggling that will be encouraged if the price of rubber is raised and the quantity to be exported subjected to limitation; and whether it will be necessary to obtain assistance from any of the defence services for this purpose?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think the comprehensive character of the scheme, including as it does all the producing countries in the East, is the most effective insurance against possible smuggling.
§ 10. Mr. HOLDSWORTHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether legislation by Parliament will be necessary to make the proposed scheme for rubber regulation effective; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government propose to give the House an opportunity of considering the matter in the interests of British manufacturers 1069 and others concerned before any action is taken on the recommendation of the committee?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. As I have already stated, legislation will not be required in this country. The hon. Member will appreciate that it would be quite impracticable for all decisions of the International Committee operating the scheme to be submitted for approval to the Legislatures of the various metropolitan Governments concerned.