§ 114. Sir PERCY HURDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the bulk of the trade between the British West Indies and Germany has now to be conducted by barter, with the consequence that German goods, in many cases subsided, are replacing British goods in these colonies; and whether he will make representations to the Board of Trade to ensure that a reasonable portion of the additional exchange under the payments agreements is made available for the British colonies?
Mr. THOMASI am aware that a considerable trade is being done between Germany and many parts of the Colonial Empire by barter, but I am not aware that it is resulting in any extensive displacement of British goods. The possibility of securing an increased allocation of free exchange to the purchase of colonial goods by Germany is being borne in mind.