§ 11. Mr. H. G. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade what information is in the possession of his Department as to the subsidies paid by the German Government in respect of motor-cars exported to this country?
§ 20. Mr. G. Straussasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will inquire from the German Government what export subsidy is paid in respect of Opel cars imported into this country?
Mr. StanleyUp to the present I have been unable to obtain any definite information as to the payment of subsidies by the German Government in respect of motor-cars exported to this country, but I am making further inquiries. 1392 the marketing of oil from the expropriated properties would be a matter of embarrassment to His Majesty's Government. I have nothing to add to that reply.
§ 19. Mr. George Hallasked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of oil imported into this country from Mexico during each of the last three years, together with the imports for the first quarter of this year; and whether there is any interference by the Government with such oil being imported into this country at the present time?
Mr. StanleyWith the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the desired particulars of imports. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-day to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall).
§ Following is the statement:
§ Mr. WilliamsCan my right hon. Friend say why certain classes of motor cars manufactured in Germany are offered for sale in this country at substantially lower prices than those at which they are offered for sale in Germany?
Mr. StanleyThe hon. Member will, of course, realise the difference between a direct Government subsidy to an industry and a subsidy which takes the form of an industrial pool which may subsidise exports. It is difficult to get any definite information on a point of this kind, but I am trying to get what further information I can.
§ Mr. BellengerHas the right hon. Gentleman's Department made inquiries from our commercial counsellor in Berlin who is usually well informed on these matters?
Mr. StanleyYes, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, in answer to a question the other day, referred to information we have got from our commercial counsellor which had been put in the form of a report.
§ Mr. Garro JonesDoes the right hon. Gentleman notice that the second question asks whether he will inquire from the German Government? Has he made such direct inquiries, and, if so, has there been a refusal to reply?
Mr. StanleyI have said that I am making further inquiries, and it was in answer to the question about inquiries of the German Government that I put that in.