§ 50. Sir FRANK SANDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the decreased manufacture in this country of the products from linseed due to the decline in the importation of Argentine linseed from 64,647 tons in the three months ended 31st March, 1933, or 92,450 tons in the same period in 1932, to 18,599 tons in the same period in 1934, owing to the 10 per cent. duty imposed under the Ottawa Agreements on linseed other than that of Empire origin; and whether, as neither India nor any other country within the Empire is able to supply the needs of the United Kingdom, and as no heavier crops are likely to be produced in India, he will consider a revision of the agreement with a view to saving this industry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe decline in imports of linseed from Argentina has been accompanied by a rapid increase in imports from India, and I have no reason to suppose that this increase will not continue.
§ Sir F. SANDERSONIs my right hon. Friend aware that Indian linseed does not compete in price with Argentine linseed; that there always was and is today a considerable premium on Argentine linseed, the premium being £2 per ton; and is he not also aware that while it is true——
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now the giver of information and not requesting it.