§ The following question stood on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT:
§ 5. To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether under recent restrictions of Imports Orders the import of axes with hickory handles and of axes without handles is permitted, while the import of hickory handles without axe-heads is prohibited; and, if so, what is the object of this discrimination, which acts to the detriment of the home manufacturer?
6. The HON. MEMBERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the fact that the Order whereby the import of hickory or ash tool-handles is prohibited, unless in the case of any particular consignment a certificate can be produced showing that they are urgently required for Government purposes, will have the effect of depleting the stock of such handles in this country, so that in the event of large numbers of spades and shovels being required by the military authorities on an emergency the manufacturers would not be able to supply them without great delay?
Mr. RUNCIMANI hope the answer to Question 6 will cover the answer to Question 5. I have given directions that a general licence should be issued for the importation of hickory tool-handles into the United Kingdom.