§ Captain Viscount WOLMERasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether import licences have been recently granted upon the basis of 1916 imports; and whether he is aware that such a policy favours those countries which were neutral in 1916 at the expense of our Colonies; (2) whether he is aware that considerable feeling exists in Canada in consequence of the policy adopted by his Department in regard to the licensing of prohibited imports; whether licences have been issued for the import from neutral or Allied countries of goods in respect of which permission to import from Canada has been refused; and whether he is prepared to give an assurance that in cases in which import prohibitions are not absolute, but are qualified by licensing, licences will in future be granted automatically for the import of goods from British Possessions?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt is no doubt true that owing to their geographical position and to the difficulties arising out of shortage of tonnage the policy adopted in regard to import restrictions had the undesired effect of discriminating in some cases against Colonial goods. Now that the tonnage situation is easier, I hope it 657W will be possible to avoid this discrimination. I may add that the matter is under consideration and that an announcement will be made shortly.