HC Deb 17 March 1937 vol 321 cc2047-8
27. Mr. Louis Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the continued rise in the price of tin and the increase which this will involve in the cost of re-armament, any steps will be taken to increase the tin production of the Colonies, and to remove all restriction now obtaining under the international restriction scheme?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 15th March by my hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell).

Mr. Smith

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the steps recently taken have not been effective; and will he consider taking further steps?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I do not know what steps my hon. Friend has in mind, or whether he can make any suggestions. I thought that the increase in the quota would have had an effect.

Sir P. Harris

Would it not be much easier to abolish the quota altogether and allow production from the mines unrestricted in view of the terrific scarcity which exists at present?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

That is not a matter for us alone. It is a matter for international agreement. A number of countries are involved and legislation would be required in all those countries.

Sir P. Harris

But has not our Government taken the initiative in this policy and should we not therefore take the initiative in sweeping away these restrictions?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

The international committee has been meeting recently and I think it has, probably, been dealing with this matter.