§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the legislation which it is proposed to introduce in Malaya and Ceylon to put into effect the new rubber restriction scheme will be first published in this country, in order to enable it to be examined in detail by consuming interests?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. The legislation is required only to authorise the Governments concerned to carry out the obligations to which they are pledged under the scheme and to provide in detail for the equitable distribution of the global quota among the individual producers. These are not matters with which the consuming interests are directly interested.
§ Dr. O'DONOVANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are to be taken to consult with manufacturers in this country who use rubber in large quantities as to the precise terms of the restriction scheme before this is given legislative force by the producing, colonies?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERHis Majesty's Government do not propose further to consult manufacturers in this country regarding the precise terms of the regulation scheme before it is given legislative force in the Colonial Empire. I have already received and considered various representations on points of detail from manufacturers, and the latter will be able to make any further representations which they think fit through the panel of consumers.