§ 19. Sir W. SUGDENasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the year 1934 Hungary exported to Palestine £115,000 worth of goods, and in return purchased fruit, goods, and materials to the value of only £920; and whether he will cause representations to be made to the Hungarian Government to withdraw its present refusal to grant the importation of Palestinian oranges into Hungary?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware of the trade position stated, and of the difficulties arising out of the import and exchange restrictions in force in Hungary, but I have no information of any discrimination against Palestine. If information showing the existence of such discrimination can be given, consideration 1698 will be given to the desirability of representations to the Hungarian Government.
§ Mr. RADFORDDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that it would be more useful if, instead of urging Hungary to buy more from Palestine, it were pointed out that, if Palestine transferred these orders to our own country, we should get the trade?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not know what the orders are, but certainly it is very wise that any country should buy from the best market in the world.
§ Sir W. SUGDENDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that, so long as we allow Hungary to have cheap money from this country, we have the right to see that the taxpayers of this country have proper value in regard to what we spend in Palestine?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI understood the question to refer to trade with Palestine. I did not know that we were supplying cheap money to Hungary at the present time.