HC Deb 14 March 1906 vol 153 cc1263-4
MR. COURTHOPE

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that quantities of the hops imported into this country are grown by Chinese labour; and whether, in the interest of the working classes of this country, he will take steps to prevent such importation in future.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I am aware that considerable quantities of hops are imported into this country from abroad, notably from the United States, Belgium, Holland, and Germany, and as the hon. Gentleman and his Party are so deeply interested in this particular import I may add that New Zealand, Canada and other British possessions are also offenders in this respect. But I am not aware that Chinese labour is employed in any of these countries in connection with the cultivation of hops, unless it be on the Pacific Coast of the United States, from which region the imports for 1900 were 40 cwts.; for 1901, 165 cwts.; for 1902, 150 cwts., and for 1903 and 1904 nil.

MR. COURTHOPE

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain information as to the action of the Dürst Hop Pool in employing Chinese labour?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

That Question had better be put on the Paper.