asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that, in connection with pending trade negotiations with Japan, no engagement will be entered into limiting the power of this country to participate forthwith in any international sanction under the Covenant of the League of Nations?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn) on the 22nd May.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend think the Japanese Government are the least likely to keep any engagements they enter into, in view of past experience?

HON. MEMBERS:

Order!

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now inform the House on the progress of the Anglo-Japanese conversations relative to commercial competition in overseas markets?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the nature of the reply received from the Japanese Government with regard to the convening of a conference between Japanese and United Kingdom industries; and also what general progress has been made with the preliminary negotiations?

I cannot at present add anything to the statement I made in the Debate on the Motion for the Whitsuntide Adjournment.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind the desirability of consulting with the trade associations before a reply is sent, and, in connection with that conversation, can he give the House the assurance that representatives of all sections of the cotton trade, which is very grievously affected by this matter, will be consulted?

I can assure my hon. Friend that contact is being made and will be kept with the Lancashire organisations on this matter.

Do I understand from that answer that all sections of the trade will be brought into consultation?

I should require to have notice about all sections.