36. Mr. Johnstonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any decision or statement upon the proposals submitted to him in the summer of last year for the marketing of salted herring from Britain in the West Indies and in return marketing of an equivalent value of citrus fruits from the West Indies to this country?
§ Mr. StanleyI understand that the Herring Industry Board are now actively considering this question and are in communication with Jamaica in the matter. A report has recently been received from the Governor of Jamaica and I am proposing to inform the right hon. Gentleman as soon as possible of the substance of the Governor's observations, which are also being communicated to the Herring Industry Board.
Mr. JohnstonWill the right hon. Gentleman do his best to expedite the inquiries into this matter, and is he not aware that it is very disheartening to anyone who offers a reasonable suggestion for the relief of unemployment and the betterment of trade that it should take nine months to get a reply?
§ Mr. StanleyThe right hon. Gentleman knows that I have been pressing things as far as I can and that it does not depend upon me. I think he also knows the reason for the delay.