Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce. – in the House of Commons at on 4 May 1938.
Mr Harry Day
, Southwark Central
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies particulars of the present arrangements between the British and Dutch Governments for the production of and/or shipment of rubber from the possessions of either Government?
Mr William Ormsby-Gore
, Stafford
The production of rubber in both the Netherlands East Indies and the main British producing territories is governed by the International Rubber Regulation Agreement, signed in 1934.
Mr Harry Day
, Southwark Central
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the reports still show that there is considerable distress in the rubber industry in British Possessions?
Mr William Ormsby-Gore
, Stafford
I think that on the whole the International Agreement is working well.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
