HC Deb 08 November 1920 vol 134 cc810-2
3. Mr. REMER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the great importation of manufactured silk goods into the United Kingdom from Germany at prices, owing to the depreciated mark, much lower than the cost of production in this country; whether he is aware that there is great unemployment and short time in this industry; and whether he can now state what policy he intends to pursue in order to remedy this state of affairs?

Sir R. HORNE

I am aware the position in the silk trade is far from satisfactory, and that certain quantities of silk goods are being imported from Germany, but, so far as I can judge from the official statistics, they cannot be considered large as compared with the imports from Germany before the War. The imports of silk goods from Germany forms a very small proportion of the whole importation, most of it coming from other countries.

Mr. REMER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the prices of German silk manufactured goods are exactly half the price of English manufactures?

Sir R. HORNE

I am not aware of the figures my hon. Friend uses, but the imports from Germany are really infinitesimal as compared with the importation from France, for example.

Mr. REMER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British manufacturers have put down very great machinery during the period of the War, and the men employed on these machines will be out of work unless something is done quickly?

Sir R. HORNE

I am not aware of the last fact to which my hon. Friend refers, but I repeat that the importation from Germany at present is really infinitesimal as compared with that from other countries.

Mr. REMER

The probabilities are that they will be very much increased in the next few months?

Sir R. HORNE

I am not aware of that.

Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAY

Is manufactured silk supposed to be a key industry?

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that great unemployment is caused by the importation of manufactured silk goods from America, which puts a 60 per cent, duty on our goods and sends hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of manufactured goods into our country?

Sir R. HORNE

Of course we cannot debate these matters by question and answer. The question refers to Germany and I repeat that German imports are very small at present. The imports from America are also very small compared with what they are from France.

Mr. SHORT

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why it is that the cost of these articles has not been reduced to consumers in this country?

Mr. REMER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of English manufactures is exactly double the cost in Germany?