§ Major STEELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government of Mauritius have intimated their intention to give certain preferences on British manufactures in return for the concessions agreed upon at the recent Imperial Conference on Empire-grown sugar?
Mr. THOMASFollowing upon the conclusions of the Imperial Economic Conference, the Council of Government in Mauritius agreed to give preferential treatment to all imports not affecting1208W essential foodstuffs and being products of the United Kingdom, and of such British Dominions and Colonies as may agree to reciprocal benefits. The details of the proposed preferential tariff have not yet been settled. I would point out to the hon. Member that no concessions were or could be made at the Imperial Economic Conference. All such decisions must rest with Parliament.