§ 30. Mr. H. G. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the negotiations for an agreement to continue in force the 1413 commercial agreement with Denmark of 24th April, 1933?
§ Captain WALLACEI am glad to inform the House that the negotiations with the Danish Government resulted in the signature last Friday, 19th June, of a supplementary agreement, to continue in force, subject to four months' notice of denunciation by either party, the Agreement of 24th April, 1933. The Danish Government now undertake to make an allocation of licences which will represent an appreciable increase in the import of United Kingdom goods into Denmark.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSAre we to understand that the extension of the trade agreement for four months will prevent during that period the possibility of dealing with the difficult position of British agriculture?
§ Captain WALLACEWe have been able to negotiate an agreement that can be denounced on short notice on either side, and the agreement, as I understand it, can be denounced by four months' notice to-morrow.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMy hon. and gallant Friend did not understand my, point, which was that the agreement ran out on Saturday, and we are therefore free to-day to make further arrangements for agriculture. Do I understand that, as a result of this agreement, any further arrangements for agriculture are postponed for at least four months?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEAs this agreement is very detrimental to agriculture, does the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that there is very keen disappointment throughout the agricultural industry?
§ Captain WALLACEIf my hon. and gallant Friend would take into account that this is a temporary agreement to carry on with, I do not think he would be so disappointed.
Miss WARDHas anything been done to insert a Clause in this agreement respecting the use of British ships?
§ Captain DOWERWill the House have an opportunity of discussing the trade agreement between this country and Denmark, before the terms of it are put before the House?
§ Sir PERCY HARRISIs not Denmark a friendly country, anxious to trade with us?
§ 31. Mr. LIDDALLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of Lincoln, and manufacturers in other cities, in obtaining licences to allow British goods to be supplied to Denmark; and whether, in negotiations with the Danish Government, he anticipates that British manufacturers will be placed in a more favourable situation in future?
§ Captain WALLACEI am aware of the difficulties which manufacturers in Lincoln and other cities have experienced in obtaining licences for the import of their goods into Denmark. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams).
§ Mr. LIDDALLIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the difficulties being experienced by Lincoln firms, and will he take steps to urge the Danish authorities to grant import licences in respect of all orders already placed with Lincoln firms and which they are in grave danger of losing?
§ Captain WALLACEWe are aware, as I said in my answer, of the difficulties, but I can tell my hon. Friend that, as a result of the supplementary agreement, Lincoln firms will have a much better chance than they had before of exporting to Denmark.
§ Mr. GRAHAM WHITEWill the hon. Gentleman explain how the Danes can be expected to buy agricultural machines in Lincoln if we refuse to take their agricultural produce?
§ Captain WALLACEI think my hon. Friend had better ask the Danes.