§ 8. Mr. ARNOLDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a Committee is being formed, or about to be formed, to assist the Board of Trade in coming to decisions as to the removal or retention of restrictions on imports; if so, what is to be the constitution of the Committee; and whether consumers are to be represented on the Committee?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe whole matter is receiving close attention at present. Beyond that I am not able to make an immediate statement, except that all interests involved will receive proper consideration.
§ Mr. ARNOLDWhen does the hon. Gentleman expect to be in a position to give the names of this Committee, and, when announcing them, will be state the interests the various Members represent?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI did not say there was going to be a Committee.
§ Mr. KILEYIs it the fact that a number of private meetings have been held for the weeks past under the direction of the Imports Restriction Department in the City of London, and will he give an undertaking that none of those recommendations are carried into effect without public notice being given?
§ Mr. BR1DGEMANThe whole matter is under consideration, and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is making every effort to ascertain the opinion of everybody concerned.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWho is looking after the interests of the public to keep prices down?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe interests of the public are being considered as well.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWho by?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANBy the President of the Board of Trade.
§ 9. Mr. ARNOLDasked whether certain restrictions on imports which have been temporarily withdrawn have been, or will be, reimposed; and whether this action has been taken following upon representations from the National Union of Manufacturers?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANCertain general licences were issued on the signing of the Armistice and announced at the time as being available only till 1st March. Pending a decision on the whole question, some of these licences are not being renewed.
§ Mr. ARNOLDWill the hon. Gentleman reply to the second part of the question, "Whether this action has been taken following upon representations from the National Union of Manufacturers"?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt has been taken on representations received from a great many different people.
§ Mr. ARNOLDWere any consumers consulted, and, if not, why?
§ Mr. FRANCEMay I ask if the hon. Gentleman can arrange that these matters shall be discussed in the House of Commons instead of between private meetings of manufacturers?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI cannot answer that question, which should be addressed to the Leader of the House.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the hon. Gentleman make representations that it is desirable that Parliament should be con- 1348 sulted about restrictions on imports into the country, and not vested interests which will profit by such restrictions?
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir F. HALLMay I ask if a very important deputation of manufacturers not comprising any one special society interviewed the President of the Board of Trade, and did he not give his decision after most careful consideration of the question?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAs I have said, every consideration is being given to every interest.
§ 13. Major HAYWARDasked the President of the Board of Trade what articles of import are still subject to embargo, restriction, and licence, respectively, stating, in the cases of restriction, the nature of the restriction, and, in the case of licence, the conditions upon which such licences are granted; and the names of the several persons or committees advising the Board upon these matters, respectively?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe whole question of import restrictions, including licensing, is at present under consideration. I am not yet in a position to make an announcement on the subject.
§ 16. Mr. LONSDALEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any protest from manufacturers regarding the importation of foreign manufactured goods into this country which will interfere with employment; and what action he proposes taking in the matter?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMany such communications have been received, and the fullest consideration is being given to them. The whole question is now under careful examination, and I hope that a decision will be reached very shortly.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it under consideration to put an end to our export trade altogether?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANNo, Sir.
§ 17. Captain HAMBROasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state the policy of the Government with regard to imports of foreign goods into this country and the export of British goods?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe whole question of import restrictions during the recon- 1349 struction period is under consideration, and I cannot make any announcement at present. As regards exports, restrictions are being removed as quickly as possible, consistently with safeguarding the supplies of this country and with the general blockade policy of the Allies.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLMay I ask whether, in connection with the restriction of imports, the policy which the Board of Trade are taking is not to allow imports to interfere with employment in this country?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI think I had better have notice of that question.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask whether he will ask the President of the Board of Trade, in future, in regard to matters under consideration, to give approximate dates when this House might get the facts?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI do not think that depends entirely upon the President of the Board of Trade.