HC Deb 02 June 1919 vol 116 cc1645-6
1. Mr. REMER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to find out what are the wages paid by Japanese employers in the Japanese silk trade; and whether he will undertake that there shall be no free imports of Japanese silk unless the Japanese silk manufacturers pay British trade union wages and conditions?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Auckland Geddes)

I will ask my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour whether he can obtain any recent information as to the first part of this question. As regards the second, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on Monday last.

Mr. REMER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a volume was published by the Japanese Minister of Finance in 1918 which contained this information, and that the rates of wages stated therein are 7½d. to 11d. per day per man, and 4½d. to 8d.,per day per woman?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member seems to be better informed than the Minister.

Mr. REMER

Arising out of that answer

Mr. SPEAKER

That was not an answer.

Mr. REMER

I beg to give notice that I will refer to this question on the Motion for Adjournment this evening.