§ 2. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the desirability of proposing that some element of international administration should be introduced into mandated territories with a view to satisfying the legitimate aspirations of countries not possessing mandates to co-operate in this work?
§ Mr. EDENI hardly think that the proposal of the hon. Member would be practicable, nor do I think that it would satisfy the aspirations to which he refers.
§ Mr. MANDERIs not this a rather more hopeful way of approaching this difficult question than any talk of handing over mandates?
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSIs it not a fact that free markets already exist in all mandated territories?
§ 48. Mr. DONNERasked the Prime Minister whether the attitude of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in regard to the future of the mandated territories is identical with that of His Majesty's Government in Australia as expressed in a recent declaration by Sir George Pearce, Australian Minister for External Affairs, in which he stated that the surrender of any mandated territory held by Australia was unthinkable?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)The attitude of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom towards the future of the mandated territories under their administration was stated in the very full answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams) on 27th April, and I have nothing to add to that.
§ Mr. DONNERWill the Prime Minister state whether the attitude of His Majesty's Government is identical with that of the Government of Australia?
§ 60. Mr. EMMOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the imports into territories administered by His Majesty's Government under mandate or condominium from foreign countries and of the exports from those territories into foreign countries for the year 1934?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)Precise information is not available in respect of the territories administered under mandate by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, but it is estimated that imports into those territories from foreign countries during 1934 amounted to approximately £13,000,000 and exports of domestic produce to £2,700,000. The corresponding figures for territories under condominium were £2,500,000 and £1,600,000.
§ Mr. EMMOTTDo not these figures dispose of the suggestion that foreign countries have any difficulty in obtaining currency for the purchase of raw materials in these Territories.