3. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state approximately the number 1706 of persons at present unemployed for whom work could be found if the glassware, toys, and dyestuffs, now being imported from Germany and sold at prices which undercut the British market owing to lower labour costs and the abnormal exchange, were manufactured in this country instead of being imported?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI have been asked to answer this question. Manufacture in this country would undoubtedly increase the amount of employment for persons directly engaged in the industries mentioned. But I do not think it would be possible to give any certain estimate on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.
Sir F. HALLIf it is admitted by the Government there would be employment found for a large number of people in this country, does the hon. Gentleman not think it is time the Government took steps to protect industries which they particularly asked manufacturers in this country to undertake—and particularly the manufacture of toys?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe question refers to glassware, toys, and dyestuffs. With regard to dyestuffs, the House will deal with a Bill on that subject to-morrow. My hon. Friend knows that a Bill dealing with other key industries is to be introduced at the beginning of next Session. I only wish a repetition of questions would increase the Parliamentary time at my disposal.
Colonel C. LOWTHERIs it not a fact that the glass, toy and dye industries are in dire distress owing to German dumping at the present moment?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMENo, Sir. One of the difficulties of the situation is that there is no dumping going on at the present moment, and German goods sold here are not cheaper than they are sold in Germany, but dearer.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIs it not the fact that the rates of exchange are a far worse peril than dumping? Are not these particular industries actually going to close down in the next two or three months unless something is done? Are you going to wait for that?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEMy hon. Friend must appreciate that it is impossible to deal with more than one par- 1707 liamentary measure at a time. It is no good introducing a Bill which cannot be passed this Session. The Government are committed to introducing a Bill early next Session dealing with dumping and key industries, and I should be misleading the House if I were to promise now to bring in a Bill which I could not hope to pass this Session.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTDoes that mean that the question of the German exchange—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must really enter a protest against this customary Monday attack of "fiscalitis."
Sir F. HALLIs it not within the province of the Member to put supplementary questions on important matters at Question Time?
§ Mr. SPEAKERSome of these supplementary questions are not intended to elicit information at all, but for purposes of Debate. They are put by one section of the House to show how wrong are the views held by the other section