HC Deb 30 June 1936 vol 314 cc233-4W
Major DORMAN-SMITH

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been, or is proposed to be, taken to terminate the trade agreements with Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Sweden, respectively; what communications he has received in respect to the effect of these agreements upon Home and Dominion agricultural interests, respectively; and when he proposes to invite the observations of industrial, commercial, and agricultural organisations in regard to the conditions on which any fresh agreements with these countries may be negotiated?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on 25th June to the hon. and gallant Member for Tiverton (Lieut. - Colonel Acland - Troyte). As regards home agricultural interests, the Board of Trade are constantly in touch with the Departments of Agriculture, and these Departments are kept continuously informed as to the initiation

— Arrived. Departed.
British. Foreign. British. Foreign.
Tons net. Tons net. Tons net. Tons net.
1931 … … … … 17,760,001 191,674 17,676,724 193,198
1932 … … … … 18,238,442 150,431 18,807,504 203,696
1933 … … … … 18,965,545 207,647 18,807,504 203,696
1934 … … … … 20,038,759 217,528 19,767,071 216,634
1935 … … … … 20,356,963 279,896 20,271,665 279,924
1936(January—May) … … 8,542,969 196,644 8,486,879 194,206

According to information supplied by Lloyd's Register of Shipping the approximate number and tonnage of cargo motor vessels from 100 to 1,200 tons gross launched in the countries specified during 1935 were as follows:—
Country. Number of Vessels. Gross tonnage.
Great Britain and Ireland … … … 26 12,592
Holland … … … … … … 33 9,807
Belgium … … … … … … 1 220
France … … … … … … 3 1,207
Germany … … … … … … 24 6,588
The upper limit of 1,200 tons gross corresponds approximately to 750 tons net. Particulars on a net tonnage basis are not available.

and progress of commercial negotiations. The views of Dominion agricultural interests would naturally reach us through their Governments. As regards the last part of the question, consultation with United Kingdom industrial and commercial organisations in respect of certain of these agreements was initiated last November and this policy will be continued as and when required by the programme of the negotiations.