§ Mr. KEATINGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the international considerations referred to in his statement relating to the unrestricted import of rubber tyres into this country refers to an arrangement made by the Government with American rubber manufacturers and importers, whereby the latter agree, in consideration of being permitted to obtain supplies of rubber from British possessions, not to export manufactured rubber good's or raw rubber direct to neutral European markets, but to supply the requirements of such neutral markets from the stocks to be maintained in the United Kingdom; whether the purpose of the said arrangement is to enable His Majesty's Government so to control exports of rubber and goods manufactured of rubber to neutral European markets as to prevent supplies of such material from reaching enemy countries; and, seeing that the agreement in question has reference purely to trade with neutral European markets, imposes no obligation on His Majesty's Government to permit the unrestricted import of foreign tyres for sale in the United Kingdom, and in view of the fact that only 30,000 tons of rubber were now exported out of the 73,900 imported in 1916, will he give directions that consignments of rubber manufactured goods imported into this country shall be limited strictly to the necessities 1575W of the said neutral European markets, and that all such goods shall, upon arrival in this country, be placed in bond and not issued therefrom unless upon permit for export to neutral European markets?
Commander LEVERTON HARRISThe nature and object of the agreement referred to in the earlier chapters of this question appear to be stated with substantial accuracy. The suggestion in the latter part of the question will be carefully considered.