§ 5. Mr. DENNIS HERBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade when the agreement with Japan, allowing that country to import brushes into the United Kingdom to the extent of its 1916 imports, was made; for what period or until what date is it to continue; and has His Majesty's Government any right to determine it at any earlier date or to revise or vary it?
§ 17. Brigadier-General COLVINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether Japan and Italy are still permitted to import into this country brushes to the extent of their 1916 importations duty free; whether this country is capable of supplying its own requirements; and, if so, whether, in view of the cheapness of labour in Italy and Japan, he proposes to take any steps to enable British brush manufacturers to compete with free imports and maintain the industry?
§ Sir A. GEDDESIn the spring of 1918 a concession was made to certain classes of goods of Italian origin, and, in view of an undertaking previously given to the 1648 Japanese Government, these concessions were extended to similar classes of goods of Japanese origin. The concession originally provided for the unrestricted importation of brushes, but in February of this year it was announced to the Japanese Government that unrestricted licensing would have to be replaced by the issue of licences to an amount not exceeding the imports of the year 1916. The question is at present under consideration by the Import Consultative Council.
§ Mr. HERBERTI will call attention to this matter on the Adjournment.