Vice-Admiral TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement as regards the decisions arrived at at the international conference dealing with the better regulation of exports of grain from European countries; and whether the interests of the Dominions as exporters of grain to the Continent were considered in this respect?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe conference to consider the problem of the existing European grain surplus met in Paris from 23rd to 25th February. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom were represented by Lord Tyrrell, who was accompanied by Sir Sydney Chapman as an expert adviser. The conference drew up a final act which declaresinter alia the willingness of countries importing foreign grain (wheat, maize and barley) to participate to the utmost possible extent in the purchase of stocks available in the grain exporting countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Having regard particularly to the interests of the Dominions in this matter, His Majesty's Ambassador did not feel able to associate himself with these declarations and accordingly reserved his signature to the final act. In addition, on 26th-28th February, a committee of the Commission of Inquiry for European Union met to consider arrangements for future years. A report has been made to the Commission which emphasises the importance of consulting overseas countries and indicates that an early opportunity for an exchange of views with those countries may be provided by the conference 213W organised by the International Institute of Agriculture to be held at Rome on 26th March.