asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of its possible effect upon our export trade to foreign countries of £400,000,000 a year, the Government will reconsider its declared policy that, provided the price and the quality of the article are satisfactory, all purchases should be made within the Empire and none from foreign countries?

The conditions mentioned by the hon. Member in his question limit the extent to which articles can be purchased from Empire sources, and therefore no further declaration of policy seems necessary.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the disastrous effect that would be produced upon our export trade if all foreign countries were to adopt the same narrow-minded and short-sighted policy?