§ 44. Mr. RAFFANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the importation of vanillan into this country has been entirely prohibited in spite of the fact that the entire output of British manufacturers has been sold up to the end of September; and whether the effect of this prohibition has been to increase the market price of vanillan from 45s. to 80s. per pound?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe importation of vanillan is not prohibited entirely; it is restricted to 50 per cent. of 1915 imports. I am not prepared to accept the suggestion in the latter part of the question.
§ Mr. RAFFANIs the hon. Gentleman able to say that the price has not increased from 45s. to 80s. per pound as the result of this restriction, and is he able to say whether it is not true that home manufacturers say they can fulfil no orders till the end of September?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI did not say what the hon. Member attributes to me. I did.not admit that the whole increase is due to the import restrictions.
§ Mr. RAFFANI did not desire to suggest that the hon. Gentleman answered the question that way. I desired to ask whether he is not able to say what the increase has been and if it is inaccurate to say the price has been increased from 45s. to 80s. per ton?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI cannot be quite certain, but I will make further inquiry if the hon. Member wishes.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of selling these licences so as to bring in some revenue?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI must have notice of that question.
§ Captain W. BENNHas anyone ever been prosecuted for ignoring the restrictions imposed by the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI must have notice of that question too.
§ Mr. RAFFANDo the home manufacturers say they can fulfil no orders till the end of September, and if that is true why should these restrictions be imposed?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not know. I cannot answer that.
§ Mr. RAFFANIf I put a question down again in the early part of the week, will the hon. Gentleman endeavour to secure an answer?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe question is whether tile importation of vanillan into this country has been entirely prohibited in spite of the fact, and so on The question is not whether it is a fact.