HC Deb 27 May 1935 vol 302 cc741-3
2 Mr. HAMMERSLEY

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the terms of the India-Burma trade convention have now been agreed upon?

Sir S. HOARE

As I indicated when describing the position in the Committee on 10th April, the discussions between the representatives of the Government of Burma and the Government of India have come to an end, and the two Governments have arrived at conclusions between themselves as to the arrangements which should govern the trade relations between India and Burma after separation. It now rests with Parliament to consider the outcome of these discussions, and the opportunity of doing so will arise when the appropriate draft Order-in-Council is submitted for approval.

Mr. HAMMERSLEY

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it was the intention to send a deputation from both Houses of Parliament to wait upon him to make representations as to the terms of the proposed trade agreement; if the deputation does wait upon him, will it be competent for the terms to be modified; if not, would he explain why be has not waited for representations to be made, since he stated, in a speech in this House, that modifications could be made, subject to representation?

Sir S. HOARE

Lancashire representatives, of course, decide, looking at their own interests, whether they wish to send a deputation to discuss the matter with me or not. I am always ready and anxious to see them, if they wish to see me. At the same time I would point out, both to the hon. Member and to them, that Parliament is in no way pledged or compromised. The agreement which has been reached is an internal agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Burma. I have always made it clear that Parliament is uncompromised by an agreement of that kind, and Parliament will have to decide upon the merits of the question, when the Order-in-Council comes up for discussion, which will, I imagine, be in the autumn. I undertake to circulate the draft agreement to the House in plenty of time for the discussion, so that the various interests concerned will have full opportunity of considering the ques- tion in detail before Parliament has to take a decision.

Mr. HAMMERSLEY

Is it not a fact that my right hon. Friend said in this House that the Government, apart from Parliament, were prepared to receive representations on details and in respect of the time, and is it not a little discourteous for the matter to have been disposed of—

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter of opinion.

Sir S. HOARE

The position is exactly as I stated in the Debate. The details will be circulated and will be open to discussion, and the suitable time for discussion, both of the Lancashire interests and the other interests, will be when the draft agreement has been circulated, in plenty of time for the discussion to take place in this House.

Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFT

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, as a result of the agreement between India and Burma, a very large number of people in this country fear that British interests will be excluded?

Sir S. HOARE

It will be much better to discuss questions of that kind when we have the specific debate on the Order-in-Council.

Mr. HAMMERSLEY

Could my right hon. Friend say—

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot discuss this subject at Question time.