Trade And Commerce Empire Trade 2. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the nature of his reply to the Manchester Association of Importers, and Exporters regarding their suggestions for a more systematic investigation of Empire problems? Mr. LUNN The Association were informed that the letter and memorandum setting out their views on Imperial trade would receive careful consideration. Tariff Truce 3. Mr. ALBERY asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state, since the 24th March, 1930, what additional countries have signed the final Act resulting from the recent International Commercial Convention discussed at Geneva? The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham) The final Act of the Preliminary Conference with a view to concerted economic action which was signed at. Geneva by 17 countries on the 24th March last, remained open for signature to the 15th April, 1930. During that period it was signed by Czechoslovakia. Mr. ALBERY May I ask whether the position of His Majesty's Government has changed towards this conference as there are so few additional signatories forth-coming? Mr. GRAHAM No. Later questions will, I think, give the hon. Member additional information regarding the number of countries which have ratified the Convention and the next steps that are to be taken. 10. Sir KINGSLEY WOOD asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make concerning the operations of the tariff truce; and whether any of the British Dominions have now signified their acceptance of the same, or if he is taking any further steps to secure the reduction of tariff? Mr. GRAHAM As regards the first and third parts of the question, the Com- mercial Convention concluded at Geneva in March last has up to the present been ratified by eight countries; the United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. The Questionnaire attached to Article 1 of the Protocol regarding the programme for future negotiations has been circulated to all the Governments represented at that Conference, the great majority of whom have now sent their replies to the Secretariat of the League of Nations. These replies were studied at a meeting of the Economic Committee of the League, held last week. In accordance with Article 13 of the Commercial Convention a meeting has been arranged for 17th November, to consider the bringing into force of the Convention and at this meeting the replies to the Questionnaire will also be considered with a view to framing a programme for a further Conference at which the possibility of securing reduction in tariffs will be examined. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. Sir PHILIP CUNLIFFE-LISTER While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his full answer, does he not consider that the attitude of the Dominions in this matter is much more important than the attitude of any foreign country, and will he, in view of the new situation which has developed, give notice in February to denounce the Truce until such time as the Dominions have been consulted? Mr. GRAHAM I cannot give any such undertaking. I do not disguise for a moment the importance of any representations that the Dominions may make, but that does not preclude us from doing our best to secure a downward movement in European tariffs. Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER Is it the policy of His Majesty's Government to refuse any opportunity that is open to them; to close the doors? Mr. GRAHAM On the contrary. I did my best to explain yesterday afternoon the attitude we adopted in that matter. It is not a question of closing doors at all Sir K. WOOD Has the right hon. Gentleman explained this dangerous and futile course to the Imperial Conference? HON. MEMBERS Order! 12. Mr. MANDER asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have been successful in arranging a tariff truce with the Dominions? Mr. GRAHAM No, Sir; the question has not arisen. Mr. MANDER Does not my right hon. Friend feel that it is more urgently desirable to have a tariff truce with the Dominions than with foreign countries? Mr. GRAHAM We had better await the outcome of the proceedings of the economic side of the Imperial Conference. 31. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE asked the President of the Board of Trade if the ratification of the Tariff Truce by the Government at Geneva will be submitted to Parliament for endorsement? Mr. GRAHAM The Commercial Convention has been ratified by His Majesty the King in respect of the United Kingdom. No question of endorsement arises. I would point out that the Convention was laid before Parliament before ratification and was fully debated in this House. Mr. SOMERVILLE Then this House has nothing further to say or do in connection with this Treaty until next year, when we can denounce it? Mr. GRAHAM Not at all. Hon. Members opposite can avail themselves of the opportunity of debate, and I should hope that that opportunity will be used to support this movement. Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that a wholly new situation has been created by the Imperial Conference? Mr. GRAHAM No, Sir. That is where I quite differ from the right hon. Gentleman. I do not think that any new situation has been created. As I have pointed out before, there is no prejudice whatever in this Treaty to any decision which might be taken on the economic side of the Imperial Conference. Sir K. WOOD Is the right hon. Gentleman still prepared to go on and ignore the desires and wishes of our Dominions? Iron And Steel Trade 6. Major NATHAN asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of pig-iron imported into the United Kingdom in 1880 and in 1929; what was the quantity of pig-iron produced in this country in the same two years; and whether it would have been possible for this country to have produced that pig-iron without imported iron-ore? Mr. W. GRAHAM The quantity of pig-iron and ferro-alloys imported and retained in the United Kingdom in 1880 was 58,000 tons, and in 1929 153,000 tons; the production in the United Kingdom in the same years was 7,749,000 tons and 7,580,000 tons respectively. The metal equivalent of the unexhausted iron-ore deposits of the United Kingdom exceeded the total of production and imports in these years; but, of course, many other factors enter into a consideration of the practicability of the exclusive use of home-produced ore. Captain CROOKSHANK Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us what Mr. Gladstone said about this in 1880? 7. Major NATHAN asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated average amount of coal used in the production of one ton of pig iron and of one ton of steel, respectively Mr. GRAHAM I understand that, according to the estimates of the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers, on the average, about two tons of coal are consumed in the production of a ton of pig iron and three tons in the production of a ton of finished steel. Russia 11. Sir K. WOOD asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Russian goods are being dumped into this country; whether he has any information as to the action that has been taken by Belgium and other countries in connection with similar matters; and what action is he taking on behalf of this country? Mr. W. GRAHAM I am aware that some classes of Russian goods are being sold to this country at low prices. I understand that in France and Belgium the importation of certain Russian goods is prohibited except under licence. With regard to the third part of the question I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Department of Overseas Trade gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames (Sir G. Penny). Sir K. WOOD Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as regards that reply, it was stated then that the British Government did not propose to take any action, and I now desire to ask him, as President of the Board of Trade, whether he agrees with that statement or whether anything is going to be done on behalf of this country? Mr. GRAHAM The only way in which we can take action is by tariffs, prohibition, or licences. We are perfectly satisfied that the loss to our trade from any action of that kind would be greater than any gain. 18. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the quantity of wheat imported in each month since June, 1930, from ports of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics? Mr. GRAHAM The total quantity of wheat imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the month of June, 1930, as consigned from the Soviet Union (Russia) was 7,890 cwts. The corresponding figures for July, August and September, 1930, were given yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kingston-on Thames. 20. Sir GEORGE PENNY asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any record of the amount of grain imported into this country from Russian sources during the months of July, August and September? Mr. GRAHAM I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given him yesterday on this subject. Sir G. PENNY Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, apart from grain, many other products are being dumped into this country to the injury of our trade? 23. Viscount ELMLEY asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate the nature and quantity of the chief exports to Russia during 1930 to the latest convenient date? Mr. GRAHAM During the first nine months of this year the quantities of the principal exports from the United Kingdom registered as consigned to the Soviet Union (Russia) were as follow: British Produce and Manufactures.—Machinery and parts thereof, 20,348 tons; refined sugar, 126,513 tons; iron and steel and manufactures thereof, 5,254 tons; ammonium sulphate, 30,058 tons; and wool tops, other than merino, 725 tons. Imported Merchandise.—Pig lead, 28,848 tons; tin blocks, ingots, etc., 2,472 tons; tea, 2,763 tons; and crude rubber, 3,624 tons. 24. Viscount ELMLEY asked the President of the Board of Trade how much wheat has been imported from Russia during 1930 to the latest convenient date? Mr. GRAHAM I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Thirsk and Mahon (Mr. Turton), of which I am sending him a copy. Sir G. PENNY Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Co-operative Wholesale Society have been large purchasers of this grain? Mr. GRAHAM The hon. Member must put that question on the Paper. Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON How much more of this dumping will we tolerate? 28. Captain CROOKSHANK asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of agricultural machinery exported to Russia since January, 1930, from Great Britain and Northern Ireland? Mr. GRAHAM The total declared value of the exports of agricultural machinery and parts thereof manufactured in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the nine months ended 30th September, 1930, as consigned to the Soviet Union (Russia) amounted to £41,943.