32. Mr. Johnstonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any statement regarding the proposals submitted to him in the summer of the year 1938 for the improvement in the British herring-fishing industry and the West Indian citrus fruits industry by an exchange of products; whether the Herring Industry Board, the Colonial Empire Marketing Board, the West Indian chambers of commerce, and the Governors in the West Indies have now been consulted as to details; and what steps he proposes to take in furtherance of a scheme of produce exchange between two Empire communities who are both in increasing destitution because they are unable to market their respective products?
§ Mr. StanleyI regret that consideration of these proposals has been retarded by the reconstitution of the Herring Industry Board, but I hope that the new board which only recently entered upon its duties, will be able to consider them at an early date. I understand that the Colonial Empire Marketing Board have already had the proposals before them and will examine them further as soon as they are acquainted with the views of the Herring Industry Board. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies has been in communication with the Governor of Jamaica in the matter and hopes to receive an early report from him.