HC Deb 08 November 1920 vol 134 cc816-7
12. Mr. A. SHORT

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total volume of imports of glass goods from foreign countries since the Armistice?

Sir R. HORNE

The total value of glass and manufactures thereof registered as imported into the United Kingdom during the period December, 1918, to October, 1920, inclusive, was £10,599,381. Included in this total is the value of the imports from British Posessions as well as of those from foreign countries.

13. Mr. A. SHORT

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total imports of glass goods from foreign countries during 1913?

Sir R. HORNE

The total value of glass and manufactures thereof registered as imported into the United Kingdom from foreign countries in the year 1913 was £3,448,983. The hon. Member will keep in mind that values are very different now from what they were in 1913.

Mr. SHORT

Does that include the imports from the Colonies?

Sir R. HORNE

Only from foreign countries.

Mr. SHORT

Why has the right hon. Gentleman made a distinction between this reply and the reply to the previous question?

Sir R. HORNE

Because a distinction was made in the question.

Mr. SHORT

It was foreign countries in both cases.

Sir R. HORNE

I beg the hon. Member's pardon. I am not certain whether this reply differentiates in that respect or not.

16. Captain TERRELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the glass imports into this country in the first half of the present year as compared with the two half-years of 1919?

Sir R. HORNE

The total values of glass and glassware registered as imported into the United Kingdom in the periods specified were as follow: —

£
First six months of 1919 700,815
Second six months of 1919 2,757,112
First six months of 1920 4,354,704
Captain TERRELL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the import of glass is causing a great deal of unemployment in this country?

Sir R. HORNE

I am not aware of that.

Mr. REMER

Has the right hon. Gentleman made inquiries whether this glass can be made in this country?

Mr. LYLE SAMUEL

Is it not a fact that at this moment more people are employed in glass making in this country than for many years, and is it not the policy of the Government to encourage some of these imports to give an overdue relief to the consumer?

Mr. J. JONES

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us that prices will decline as a result of these increased imports?