§ Sir R. Clarryasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state briefly what is the relationship between the Crown Agents for the Colonies and His Majesty's Government; and whether 548W preference is given by the Crown Agents to British manufacturers, exporters, or contractors by holding available information and business inquiries emanating from the Colonies,
§ Colonel StanleyThe Crown Agents for the Colonies act under my authority and supervision as commercial and financial agents in the United Kingdom for the Colonial Governments. In placing orders in this country for supplies required by the above mentioned Governments the Crown Agents endeavour as far as possible to purchase goods of British manufacture. But the hon. Member will appreciate from what I have said that as Government agents they do not deal with business inquiries emanating from the Colonies, and only undertake work on behalf of Colonial Governments on the instructions of those Governments.