§ 13. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that several European countries, including Portugal, Roumania, Germany, Norway and Poland, have prohibited the importation of silk goods, with the result that not only are British 1305 manufacturers unable to send silk goods to these markets, but that foreign-made silk goods which would normally go to those markets are being sent into this country at dumped prices; whether he is aware that there is serious unemployment and under employment (short time) in the silk industry in this country; and what steps he proposes to take to meet these conditions?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI am aware that the importation of silk goods into the countries in question is prohibited, but I cannot say to what extent this may be a contributory cause of the considerable importation of silk goods into the United Kingdom which has taken place in recent months. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by efforts to secure the abolition of the prohibitions which have been imposed by the countries concerned with a view to restricting expenditure abroad on luxury goods. I am aware that the conditions of employment in the silk trade in the United Kingdom at present are far from satisfactory, and I am arranging for the reception of a deputation from the Joint Industrial Council of the silk industry, when the reasons and remedies for this situation will no doubt be discussed.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIs it not a fact that there is a duty of 60 per cent. in the United States on imported silk fabrics going to that country, and that many hundreds of thousands of yards of silk fabrics made in the United States were imported into this country during the past year; and does the hon. Gentleman not think that here is a case where steps should be taken to remedy a preventible cause of unemployment in this country?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI am not sure that I followed the object of the question; but it is obvious that it would be improper for me in answer to a supplementary question to discuss the possibility of imposing a tariff in this country.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs not the mere fact of our not being able, owing to the American duty of 60 per cent., to send silk fabrics to America a reason why the importation from America into this country of hundreds of thousands of yards of manufactured silk should be prevented?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI am quite aware of the facts, but in dealing with a question of this kind we must not overlook the effect of the rate of exchange between this country and America.
§ Mr. SAMUELNotwithstanding the possibly valid reason which the hon. Gentleman has given, what is to become of the poor girls and women who are thrown out of work in Yarmouth and Norwich?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI think we should have an opportunity of meeting the President of the Board of Trade and discussing this when there is more time for it.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEIt is quite obvious that I have not got the particulars of every commodity.