§ 30 and 31. Sir JOHN HARMOOD-BANNERasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, as large quantities of netting wire are obtainable from the United States, Canada, and also from British manufacturers, there is any necessity to purchase from Germany, although doubtless the Germans accept lower prices; and (2) whether he will give a Return of the number and names of licences given to manufacturers of wire netting in 1299 this country for leave to import the requisite wire from Germany; and whether, as he has given licences to import wire, he intends also to give licences to purchase steel billets and steel rods, from which wire is made, from Germany, so as to enable manufacturers to use this material and compete with those to whom licences for importing wire from Germany have already been given?
Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that only one licence has been granted to import a limited quantity of netting wire not exceeding 400 tons. This licence was issued after inquiry had shown that wire of this character was not being produced to any extent in the United Kingdom and that wire drawers in this country were fully occupied in producing wire of a higher grade. Last year our imports of wire from Germany were 37,000 tons, or more than two-thirds of our total imports. I am informed that the issue of licences for the importation of steel billets or steel rods is not contemplated.