asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in appealing to the Government of India for a reconsideration of their proposal to increase the general tariff on cotton piece goods from 11 per cent, to 20 per cent., he suggested that a preferential rebate should be made to British cotton piece goods; and whether a preferential rebate has been made?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what is the present position of the Cotton Industry Protection Bill; and if he can give the House any additional information about the proposed preferential rebate on British cotton piece goods?

The Bill introduced by the Government of India at the beginning of this month provided for a duty of 15 per cent. on cotton piece goods from the United Kingdom. On cotton piece goods from other countries it provided for a duty of 20 per cent., with a minimum of 3½ annas per pound in the case of plain gray goods only. The Government of India have, I understand, agreed to accept an amendment proposing to provide for the following duties: on plain gray goods from the United Kingdom, 15 per cent., with a minimum of 3½ annas per pound; on other piece goods from the United Kingdom, 15 per cent. The duties on goods from countries other than the United Kingdom remain as in the original Bill. The Measure is still under the consideration of the Legislative Assembly. As the hon. Member will see from the correspondence circulated on the 17th March, the representations made to the Government of India came from the Cabinet. No suggestion was or has been made by me at any time as to the preferential treatment of goods from the United Kingdom. This suggestion originated in India.

Having regard to the policy of His Majesty's Government being contrary to preferential tariffs, has this proposal of the Government of India the approval of His Majesty's Government?

I am called upon to protect the fiscal rights of India, and that I intend to do.

May we take it that the representations made by the Cabinet were made prior to the consideration of the amendment, and that since the amendment no representations of any kind have been made?

Yes. As the hon. Member will see from the date of the telegram to which I referred as being sent by the Cabinet, they were prior to Mr. Cheety's amendment.

Is it a fact that, whatever amendments may be made, it is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to make representations to protect the interests of Lancashire?

The hon. Member must make no assumptions on his own account. He must follow the correspondence and make accurate deductions from it.

Is it not clear that, since representations were made, there has been a change of policy—that in the first case the Cabinet did think it necessary to make representations and that since the change of policy no remarks have come from His Majesty's Government?

The Cabinet sent their considered views in the telegram, but they have to have regard to the established and indisputable rights of India and the Legislative Assembly in these matters.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any knowledge of any recent schemes organised by British manufacturers and traders for advertising British goods abroad; and whether His Majesty's Government have made any contribution towards them?

Certain schemes for advertising British goods abroad have been brought to my attention. My Department has been, and still is, ready to give any assistance in its power to well-considered schemes put forward by representative bodies but has not made, and is not proposing to make any financial contribution.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the total amount of credit granted by the present Government under the Export Credit Facilities Act for exports to the Soviet Union and to all other countries, respectively?

The face value of contracts entered into under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme from 10th June, 1929, to 1st March last in respect of exports to Russia was £719,370, and in respect of exports to all other countries £3,192,952.

Apart from the Soviet Union, which comes under a special dispensation, have any credits been granted to individuals or firms who had defaulted in their obligations towards British bondholders?

I could not answer a question like that off-hand.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will consider whether preferential treatment can be given in the matter of guarantees under the Export Credits Facilities Act to British nationals whose property has been confiscated by the Soviet?

I fear it would not be practicable io adopt the hon. and gallant Member's proposal.

Can the hon. Gentleman make any suggestions in order to help these British nationals?

I am afraid that I cannot in connection with the Export Credits Department.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how much money, up to date, has been advanced by way of loan under the Export Credit Facilities Act to agents of the Soviet Government; and whether it is intended to continue these facilities and increase them?

No money has been advanced by way of loan or otherwise under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme to agents of the Soviet Government. The Department has, up to the 1st March, contracted to guarantee the payment of bills of exchange for £719,370, drawn by British exporters in respect of exports to Russia. It is proposed to continue the facilities afforded by the scheme.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us what will be the sum total represented in applications for credit facilities which have been rejected because the period in question was over 12 months?

I cannot answer a question like that without notice.

Is it not the policy of His Majesty's Government not to grant any facilities for loans until the question of debts has been settled and until the Soviet Government—

That matter does not arise out of this question.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has taken any steps to confer with the Brazilian Government in order to develop the importation of Brazilian high-grade iron ore, Brazilian cotton, and Brazilian beef, against Brazil taking British manufactured goods?

The answer is in the negative.

Will the hon. Gentleman put this point to the Brazilian Government when the Brazilian Government again seeks in the near future to issue a loan in London?

I will certainly bear the matter in mind.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has considered the despatch of an economic mission to Denmark, seeing that Britain is Denmark's best customer and that Denmark could take a much larger volume of British productions?

The question of the despatch of economic missions to various countries abroad is at present under consideration. His Majesty's Legation at Copenhagen and my Department have been taking active steps to endeavour to increase British export trade with Denmark. It is too early yet to say whether the despatch of an economic mission to Denmark would be one of the best methods of attaining this object.

is the hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the disorganisation of trade between Denmark and Germany, now is an opportune moment for a little initiative to be used, with every hope of a satisfactory result for British trade, and will he, therefore, consider at once the sending of a trade mission?

Is this not a question of the efficiency of the consular representation, and, having regard to the special circumstances, will the whole question of consular representation and their efficiency in the last 10 years be considered with a view to replacement where necessary?

It is only a part of the question that concerns consuls. Our Minister at Copenhagen has taken a very active part in regard to this subject.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will rest assured that I made no reflection upon our consuls. I mean that he should go rather a little further by backing them up with a trade mission.

asked the Secretary for the Overseas Trade Department whether any representative of his Department has recently visited Lancashire for the purpose of initiating with manufacturers measures to recapture the sale of medium quality sheetings in the South American markets?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his Department has taken steps to consult Lancashire manufacturers of flannelettes and gabardines with a view to discovering the reason, and finding a remedy, for the relatively small amount of our exports of those goods to the River Plate?

The commercial counsellor to His Majesty's Embassy in Buenos Aires was in Manchester for four days last month for the special purpose of affording an opportunity to any firms who desired to discuss with him any questions and difficulties in connection with their trade with Argentina which he can, if necessary, investigate on his return to Buenos Aires next month. Sir William Clare Lees, who visited South America with Lord D'Abernon's Mission,, has recently addressed a meeting in Manchester.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has yet conferred with the manufacturers of rolling stock respecting the recent loss of orders for Jamaica and South Africa; and, if he has, what arrangements he has made to secure such orders in future?

My Department has recently had certain consultations with members of the industry concerned in regard to orders such as those mentioned. It is under consideration whether a conference on this subject would serve a useful purpose.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the resolution passed by the Bradford chamber of Commerce in favour of Free Trade within the Empire?