§ Mr. Sorensenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any further information respecting the recent bartering arrangement of rubber and cotton between Great Britain and the United States of America; and whether he contemplates further arrangements of this character either with the United States of America and other Governments, and for other commodities?
§ Mr. StanleyThe hon. Member will no doubt have seen that the United States Senate has ratified the agreement and I understand that legislation empowering the United States Government to acquire the necessary stocks of cotton is under consideration. It is hoped to put the agreement into force as soon as these powers have been obtained and as soon as the Ministry of Supply has been constituted. I am in consultation with the trade interests concerned regarding the detailed agreements which will be necessary when the agreement comes into effect. No further arrangements of this kind are at present in contemplation.