Lieut.-Colonel A. HERBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether last month English firms were told that they would be allowed to import American 867W cars to the amount of 50 per cent. of their 1913 importations divided into twelve monthly equal instalments between now and the 1st September next, to be exact, five-twelfths of 50 per cent. of their 1913 importations; whether this supply is adequate to meet the present demand for cars; and whether the Government can see their way to allow a larger number of cars to be imported for the time being in the immediate interests of commerce?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The ration of import referred to was fixed after considering the advice of the Imports Consultative Council which carefully weighed a large amount of evidence before making its recommendation. I do not propose to alter the decision.