§ Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take immediate steps to remove the restriction which has been imposed in consequence of the Stevenson Report, upon the export of rubber front British Colonies in order that the present demand for rubber may be satisfied more from British and less from foreign sources?
§ Mr. AMERYThe answer is in the negative. My hon. Friend will, of course, realise that any sudden interference with 2225W the Stevenson scheme would involve an injustice to large numbers of individuals who have entered upon contracts upon the assumption of its continuance. I have no reason to believe that British producers of rubber in territories in which the scheme is in force by law, or those who have voluntarily adhered to it elsewhere are dissatisfied with it. I may add that, if, as I anticipate, the conditions will warrant the progressive increase in the amount exportable at the minimum duty on 1st August next and at succeeding quarterly intervals, British sources will soon be exporting at their full capacity.
§ Sir E. HUME-WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that when the output of robber from British Colonies was restricted, the Netherlands Government was invited to impose a similar restriction upon the output of rubber from Dutch Colonies, and refused to do so; and will he state whether, in the result, the area under cultivation, the planting of trees, and the output of rubber has materially increased in Dutch, and decreased in British, Colonies?
§ Mr. AMERYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Although accurate statistics of the cultivated area and the production of rubber in the Dutch East Indies are not available, I understand that both the producing area and the amount produced, especially from native sources, has increased. In British territories the area cultivated for rubber has slightly increased during the last three years. The net exports in 1924 were below the 1922 figures, but exceeded those of years previous to 1922.