Written Answers
Trade And Commerce
Colonial Preference (Cotton Goods)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps, if any, are to be taken in the near future that will enable British West African Colonies to grant British cotton goods preferential treatment over Japanese in their markets?
Sierra Leone and the Gambia have for more than a year past granted such preferences. Nigeria and the Gold Coast are at present precluded by international instruments from so doing.
Jamaica (Japanese Cotton Goods, Import)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has any in- formation as to the value of the cotton piece-goods imported into Jamaica from Japan in the months of January and February of 1930 and in the same months of the present year?
No monthly statistics of imports are published by the Government of Jamaica. My right hon. Friend will, however, ask the Governor whether he can furnish the information desired.
Russian Trading Organisations, Great Britain (Employes)
asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any information as to the number of persons dismissed from their employment by Russian trading organisations in this country Since the imposition of the embargo on Russian trade; and how many of such employés come within the scope of the unemployment insurance scheme?
No, Sir. I have no information on this subject.
His Majesty's Courts (Solicitors)
asked the Attorney-General on what grounds a qualified solicitor who has paid his annual practising duty under the Solicitors Act, 1932, is excluded from arguing his clients causes before His Majesty's judges: and whether, as every solicitor has to pass an examination at least equal to that required from barristers and also to pay an annual duty of £9 for the privilege of practising, he will take-steps to enable qualified solicitors to have rights of audience in all His Majesty's courts co-extensive with those of barristers?
English barristers have an exclusive right of audience as advocates in the Court of Appeal and in all sittings in open court of the High Court, except in bankruptcy. This is partly by common law and partly by Statute. Legislation would be required to carry out my hon. Friend's suggestion, and I see no sufficient reason for its introduction.