Mr. T. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government propose at an early date to give some indication of future policy in relation to commodity restriction schemes; and whether he is aware that such an announcement would be greatly appreciated?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the international regulation schemes with which the Colonial Office is directly concerned, namely, those relating to tin, rubber, tea and sugar. The schemes relating to the first three commodities mentioned are continuing to operate and, as my hon. Friend will have seen from announcements in the public Press, the Committees controlling them have increased the quotas to meet the new situation created by the war. The International Sugar 523W Agreement is in a different position, since belligerents on both sides are parties to it. In these circumstances the council is not in a position to meet, but the Agreement has not been denounced and a skeleton staff remains in existence and operation. Future policy in regard to the scheme must await the conclusion of peace.