§ 1. Mr. G. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any proclamation has been issued prohibiting the import of gauges; if not, by what authority the Board of Trade are, in fact, prohibiting the import of gauges; whether he can state what is the meaning of gauges in such prohibition or notice; and if he will say whether it means gauges such as are commonly used in connection with machinery or micrometers for the accurate measurement of dimensions?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir A. Geddes)The importation of micrometers except under licence was prohibited by the Proclamation of 16th November, 1917, and other gauges were covered by the Proclamation of 31st November, 1916, which applied to hardware generally. The term "gauges" in the Schedule published in the Press on 23rd August last covers micrometer gauges, vernier gauges, test indicators, limit gauges, including plug and ring gauges and screw gauges, surface plates and other measuring devices of precision such as are used by engineers in machine shops and viewing shops, but is not intended to comprise boiled pressure gauges used commonly in ordinary industrial practice.
§ 20. Mr. G. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he was aware that the name of two British manufactures were given to the trade as 1408 a probable source of supply for micrometers; if so, whether he was aware that one of these manufacturers and the other stated that he was unable to say when they would be in a position to offer supplies; and whether he was prepared to take any steps in the matter?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am aware that on several occasions suggestions have been made as to possible sources of supply in this country, but I have not been able to identify the particular case to which the hon. Member refers. If he will supply the necessary details I will inquire into the matter. The rule is to grant licences where it is clear that manufactures in this country cannot meet requirements. If the particular micrometers cannot be obtained here, a licence to import reasonable quantities will not be refused.
§ 21. Mr. G. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in prohibiting the importation of gauges, the Board of Trade acted on the recommendation of the Committee on Commercial and Industrial Policy; and, if so, whether he would state the names of the members of that Committee who recommended the prohibition and the precise terms of their recommendation?
§ Sir A. GEDDESAs regard the first part of this question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 3rd November last. As regards the second part, the names of the members of the Committee on Commercial and Industrial Policy who signed the interim Report on certain essential industries appear on page 12 of that Report (Cd. 9032, 1918), and their observations on limit and screw gauges will be found on page 9 of that Report.