§ 22. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information regarding the negotiations for anew agreement with the Indian Government regarding tariffs on cotton goods?
§ Mr. StanleyI would refer to the answer which I gave on 28th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury (Mr. Chorlton).
§ Mr. BurkeCan the right hon. Gentleman say, in view of the importance and urgency of this matter to Lancashire, what is the earliest date upon which I might put down a question and get an informative reply?
§ Mr. StanleyI cannot possibly tell the hon. Member. This is a matter of negotiation between ourselves and India, but, as I have already pointed out to the House, the existing agreement expires at the end of the month, and, therefore, it is a matter, which, one way or the other, has to be settled very quickly.
§ 27. Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the President of the Board of Trade what precise steps he proposes to take to obtain the approval of the British cotton textile industry to the terms of the draft Indian trade agreement before submitting it for the final approval of the Government and Parliament?
§ Mr. StanleyClose contact with the cotton textile industry has been maintained throughout the negotiations, but the responsibility for the terms of any trade agreement which may emerge must remain with the Government.