§ 11 and 12. Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how long the Congo Basin Treaties have been under examination and how far the examination has proceeded to date;
(2) what action he proposes to take to check the decline of cotton piece-goods imports of United Kingdom origin into the British territories lying within the zone covered by the Congo Basin Treaties?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe question of action on behalf of United Kingdom export trade in this area is governed by the Congo Basin Treaties. The trade aspects of the matter were examined by the Government of the day in 1930. They were further examined by the present Government in 1932 and have since been under continuous review. The legal aspects of the problem have been under close examination since last year and, in reply to previous questions by my hon. Friend, the very complicated character of the difficulties involved have already been indicated. In December last a 140 judgment was given by the International Court at The Hague on another matter arising out of these Conventions and this involved further study of the legal aspects of the problem.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYIn view of the fact that this matter has been under examination since 1930 and that no action as yet has been taken, can the hon. and gallant Member give an estimate as to how long it will require for examination before action is taken?
§ Lieut. - Colonel COLVILLEThe examination is proceeding with all possible rapidity, and I can assure the hon. Member that there will be no undue delay. We are alive to the fact that this question is one of importance.