HC Deb 19 March 1935 vol 299 c980
7. Mr. CHRISTIE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the market for Australian cattle and beef has been seriously diminished as a result of the action by the Commonwealth Government; and whether he will suggest to Mr. Lyons at the forthcoming discussions upon meat that, instead of seeking an unlimited market in the United Kingdom and thereby jeopardising the interests of the meat producers of this country, the Commonwealth Government might first endeavour, by a modification of Australian fiscal policy, to recover the markets in Java and Belgium which have been lost owing to the Australian sugar embargo and the tariff on sheet glass?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)

I can assure my hon. Friend that all relevant considerations will be taken into account in connection with the forthcoming discussions with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Mr. PALING

Does the Under-Secretary accept the statement in the question that, if a country imposes tariffs, it thereby loses markets for its own products?

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Does the hon. Gentleman agree with the statements contained in this question?

Mr. MacDONALD

I have answered the question by saying that all these matters, whether we agree with them or not, will be taken into account. One of the matters that we are considering is whether we agree.