HC Deb 24 June 1919 vol 117 cc27-8
46. Mr. GEORGE TERRELL

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government for the prevention of dumping and the protection of key industries?

Mr. SHORTT

The proposals of the Government are in course of preparation, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Mr. TERRELL

Is it not a fact that the United States has now intimated its intention to withdraw from the Supreme Economic Council, and therefore this matter is one of very great urgency and importance?

Mr. SHORTT

I cannot add anything to my answer.

Mr. TERRELL

In view of the answer I have received I beg to give notice that at the conclusion of questions I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.

Mr. TERRELL

(by Private Notice) asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the object of his Department in holding an exhibition of a great variety of brushes of recent Japanese manufacture; whether it is for the purpose of encouraging the importation into this country of Japanese manufactures; and to whom invitations to inspect such goods have been sent?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The Department of Overseas Trade will answer this question.

Mr. TERRELL

(by Private Notice) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in opposition to the advice which he received from the Advisory Council of Imports, he has withdrawn all restrictions against the importation of a very large number of articles of manufactured woodwork; whether there is not at present great unemployment in the wood-working trade, and whether such unemployment will not be aggravated by the action which he has taken?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

In the absence of sufficient evidence that the maintenance of restrictions on wood manufactures (other than those specially reserved for restriction) would be in the interest of the trade of the country viewed as a whole, my right hon. Friend decided that articles of this description should be admitted freely. They consist mainly of semi-manufactures forming the raw material of further industries. This decision was taken after a careful consideration of the position, with a view to reducing the total amount of unemployment in the country.

Mr. G. TERRELL

(later): I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "That the uncertainty as to the future economic policy of the country in the absence of definite steps for the prevention of dumping, and the protection of key industries, promised at the recent General Election, is a matter of great urgency to this country and calls for immediate action by the Government."

The pleasure of the House not having been signified, Mr. Speaker called on those Members who Supported the Motion to rise in their places, and not less than forty Members having accordingly risen,

The Motion stood over, under Standing Order No. 10, until a quarter-past Eight this evening.