asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in the negotiations for the renewal of the Anglo-Cuban Trade Agreement, he will seek to reduce the quota of Cuban tobacco imported into this country in order to assist tobacco growers in Jamaica.

In considering the future of the Anglo-Cuban Trade Agreement, which expires at the end of this year, my right hon. Friend will take full account of the interests of the Jamaican cigar industry.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the preference referred to in the Answer to Question No. 8 is microscopic compared with what it was a few years ago? Will he bear in mind that a halfpenny per cigar is nothing in relation to a price of 4s. or 5s.? Cannot he offer some hope of reducing Cuba's quota in order to help the Jamaican industry?

All this will be taken into account, although I think that the preference is about 50 per cent. more than my lion. Friend suggests. We shall certainly bear in mind the interests of Jamaica.

While our primary responsibility must be towards Jamaica, is it not a fact that the growers and the poorer elements of the population in Cuba are the victims of an American economic boycott, and should not we give some consideration to these people as well?