§ 6. Major DORMAN-SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to invite the observations of the industries affected on the subject of the revisions of the Ottawa Agreements; the names of the organisations with which he has communicated on the subject; and the final date fixed for the receipt of their replies?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANPreliminary discussions with a view to the revision of the Ottawa Agreement with Canada will begin shortly. The Association of British Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of British Industries, and the National Union of Manufacturers, as well as a number of bodies representing particular industries, have been invited to furnish their observations to the Board of Trade by 19th June. I shall, of course, be happy to consider observations submitted by any interested parties. The question of consultation in connection with the possible revision of the Ottawa Agreements with other parts of the Empire does not arise at present.
§ Major DORMAN-SMITHWill the right hon. Gentleman allow the agricultural interests to submit their observations?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANCertainly. If they have any observations to make I shall be only too glad to listen to them.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman also listen to representations from organisations representing the consumers?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf the hon. Member will tell me to which organisations he refers I can give him an answer.
§ Mr. PETHERICKWill the right hon. Gentleman make a special point of consulting the National Farmers' Union?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf the National Farmers' Union have representations to make, I am sure they are vocal enough to make them.