Trade And Commerce Tariff Truce (Conference) 19. Major COLVILLE asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a communication from the Associations of British Chambers of Commerce protesting against the proposed tariff truce on the grounds that it would stabilise the handicaps under which British industry labours; and, if so, if he will undertake to have this view carefully examined before any such convention is signed? Mr. W. GRAHAM The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As I have already explained to the association, however, the proposed tariff truce does not involve the stabilisation of existing duties, but contemplates that during the period of the truce these shall be treated as a maximum without prejudice to any action that may be taken for their reduction. Mr. A. M. SAMUEL Has the right hon. Gentleman any proof that his suggestion, good as it may be, has been received with any favour by those countries which are now continuously raising their tariffs against us? Mr. GRAHAM The difficulties are very great indeed, but I still think that it is well worth while making this effort, and I have every reason to believe that from a very fair number of countries there will be at least a sympathetic response to the request that a conference of this kind should be held. Mr. SAMUEL I am not contesting the view of the right hon. Gentleman, but has he made representations with any result, to those countries that are continuously putting their tariffs up against us that they should, at any rate, stop until we have this consultation? Mr. GRAHAM In reply to recent questions in the House, I have informed hon. Members that, in cases where tariffs have been raised, the very fullest representations have been made. Sir K. WOOD Is it true that Australia and South Africa have refused to take part? Mr. GRAHAM There is a question dealing with that point a little later on the Paper. Major COLVILLE Will the right hon. Gentleman take into very careful consideration representations made toy bodies such as the one I have mentioned, representing as they do trade and industry all over the country? Mr. GRAHAM Yes; the House knows that I have received a very large number of representations, and I can say with a fair measure of truth that I read them all very carefully. 46. Commander BELLAIRS asked the Prime Minister, in view of the fact that India, Australia and South Africa have refused to take part in the Tariff Truce-Conference at Geneva, whether the Government will endeavour to postpone the consideration of those proposals until after the Imperial Conference has been held? Mr. GRAHAM I have been asked to-take this question. The answer is that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are not prepared to adopt the-suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member. Sir K. WOOD Is it true, as stated in the question, that India, Australia, and South Africa have refused to taker part in the Conference? Mr. GRAHAM I understand that so far that is the position. Mr. LESLIE BOYCE In view of the great importance of co-operating with the Dominions and India in order to-develop the trade of the Empire, and particularly in view of the coming Economic Conference, does the right hon. Gentleman not consider it advisable for the Empire as a whole to enter into this, truce or not at all? Mr. GRAHAM We shall do everything in our power to encourage Empire trade, but it would be quite impossible to hold up a conference of this kind merely because one or two refusals have been received. Mr. BOYCE Would it not be possible in that case to expedite the Imperial Economic Conference, seeing that we are initiating these proceedings which are intended to lead up to a truce? Mr. GRAHAM That is a very large question, and it is not one into which I can go now. Lord EUSTACE PERCY Are we to understand that no consultation took place with the Dominions before the Government proposed this tariff truce? Mr. GRAHAM I think the Noble Lord would be in error in taking that view, but I would much rather questions on that point were directed to the Dominions Office. Commander BELLAIRS Will the Government. see that this question comes before Parliament in the form of a Resolution before confirming anything done at the Tariff Truce Conference? Mr. GRAHAM As I have already indicated, if any kind of agreement is reached that would form the basis of a Convention, there will be abundant opportunity for discussion before ratification by this Chamber. Imports (Wages) 20. Commander BELLAIRS asked the President of the Board of Trade in what imported articles it is usual to require a certificate that they are produced by workers earning trade union rates of wages? Mr. W. GRAHAM No such certificates are required on the importation of any articles into this country. Commander BELLAIRS Is not any sort of certificate required in the case of imported doors? Mr. GRAHAM Not to my knowledge. It may be that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to what may be required under Clauses in the Fair Wages Clauses Act. According to the information at my disposal, no certificate of this kind is required in the case of any goods reaching this country. Merchandise Marks Act (Prosecution, Tower Bridge) 25. Mr. REMER asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the conviction, under the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1926, with reference to woven wire at Tower Bridge Police Court on 18th December; if he is aware that this was a private prosecution after the Board of Trade had refused to prose- cute; and if he will undertake in future that the Board will insist that the provisions of this Act are obeyed? Mr W. GRAHAM I have seen a report of this case in which the summons t was dismissed on payment of costs. Certain evidence was submitted to the Board 3 of Trade, but they were advised that it was not sufficient to justify them in taking proceedings. I cannot admit the im— plication in the last part of the question s that the Board have failed to take any steps which it was their duty to take. Potatoes (Imports And Exports) 29. Lord FERMOY asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value and 5 tonnage of potatoes imported into Great Britain in the period 1st January, 1929, to 1st July, 1929, and the value and tonnage of seed potatoes exported to Spain for the period between 1st July, 1928, and 30th June, 1929? Mr. W. GRAHAM The total imports of potatoes into Great Britain and Northern Ireland registered daring the period from 1st January to 30th June, 1929, amounted to 179,100 tons, of a declared value of £2,471,800. The exports of potatoes, the produce of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland, registered as consigned to Spain during the period from 1st July, 1928, to 30th June, 1929, amounted to 29,400 tons, valued at £136,800. Separate particulars in respect of seed potatoes are not available from the official trade records. Sir R. HAMILTON May I ask whether the figures of imports cover the potatoes of the Channel Islands? Mr. GRAHAM I am afraid that point does not arise out of this question. If my hon. Friend will put his question down I will give him the information. Argentina 31. Mr. HURD asked the President of the Board of Trade the text of the de claration of Government policy which is to be made to the Argentine Government, especially in respect of any restriction of any kind, except as affects disease, on the importation of foreign food stuffs into this country? Mr. W. GRAHAM Discussions with the Argentine Government are still proceeding, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject. Mr. HURD May I ask whether, before a declaration of British policy is made, an opportunity will be given to this House of expressing an opinion, especially in view of the Imperial Economic Conference? Mr. GRAHAM I am quite sure that that point really does not arise, because the only declaration of policy in this case would be one to the effect that we do not propose to put taxes on imported foodstuffs in this country, and that, I imagine, does not require any discussion in this House, since I understand it is not proposed by any political party. Mr. HURD May I ask whether the declaration, according to the words of the British Ambassador, does not also include an inhibition of any restrictions of any kind? Mr. GRAHAM There is certainly a reference to that. I could not to-day go into details, but, broadly, the declaration is one in the sense I indicated in reply to the first supplementary question. Mr. WISE May we understand that there is nothing in this declaration which would prevent this country placing under national control its imports of wheat and meat? Mr. GRAHAM That raises a much larger issue, of which I should require notice, but I can say this, that there is nothing in this declaration or in what is proposed which, in my view, prevents this House or this country taking action in any direction it chooses. Export Credits (Poland) 43. Mr. REMER asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many guarantees under the export credit scheme have been given in the case of exports to Poland during this year; and the liability of the British Government under these guarantees? Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department) Seventy-three contracts of a face value of £127,517, in respect of exports to Poland, were entered into under the exports credits guarantee scheme between the 1st January and the 21st December. The Department's maximum liability under these contracts amounts to £74,316. Mr. REMER In view of the treatment which British traders have received recently in Poland, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that those credits are discontinued for the present? Mr. GILLETT I have no doubt that the facts referred to are known to the authorities and will be borne in mind when they are considering these matters.