77. Mr. De la Bèreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that plantation rubber which is produced within the Empire is one of the most valuable of our exports and a great potential dollar earner, he will make representations to the U.S.A., inviting them to increase their purchase of this commodity to offset the purchase of such commodities as tobacco and lard from the U.S.A.
§ Mr. BottomleyI can assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government have well in mind the importance of rubber as an export which can earn dollars. I am not, however, in a position to make any further statement on this matter at present. The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the limited relaxation in restrictions on the use of natural rubber which have recently been introduced in the U.S.A.