§ 7. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether 1640 an application by D. Macdonald and Brothers, of Glasgow, to import wire nails from America has been refused on the grounds that these goods were allocated to certain firms and that others were not to be allowed to get them; whether he is aware that the partners of this firm are all ex-officers and that nails are wanted for building houses; and whether, if the facts are as alleged, the profits of the favoured firms go to His Majesty's Government or into private pockets?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANWhen the general question of the imports of wire nails has been considered by the Consultative Council on Imports, this case will be reopened, and the special position of this firm will be further considered. At present, importation of wire nails being restricted, the right to import them has, in accordance with the usual practice, been limited to the regular pre-war importers on a rationing basis, and the firm in question do not appear to come within this category.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThen is the importation of nails confined to the people who were in the business before the War?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANWhile the restriction is on that has been the practice. We will consider this particular firm when the general question has been considered.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill that be shortly—within the next fortnight?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI should hope so.