HC Deb 17 July 1922 vol 156 cc1692-3
9. Mr. C. WHITE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that seven-inch British-made aluminium hollow-ware saucepans, for which the rice last year was 22s. per dozen, are now being sold at 15s., and that other aluminium hollow-ware articles have also been substantially reduced in price, while at the same time the cost of German aluminium ware has been largely in creased; and under these new circumstances, whether he will consider the desirability of a review of the evidence given before the Committee for dealing with the application for imposing a duty upon imported hollow-ware?

Mr. BALDWIN

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. I should be interested to see specimens of the particular articles mentioned by the hon. Member which are being regularly sold at the price named.

12. Sir T. BRAMSDON

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a representative of the firm of Sellman and Hill, of Wolverhampton, gave evidence before a Committee, appointed by the Board of Trade to consider the imposing of a duty under the Safeguarding of Industries Act upon imported hollow-ware, stating that his works had been compelled to close down; and if so, will be state what steps were taken to verify the correctness of this statement, seeing that work is being carried on?

Mr. BALDWIN

I am aware of the statement in question. I do not know if any special steps were taken by the Committee to verify it, but I see no reason for doubting the accuracy at the time of the statement, which I would remind the hon. Member was made in public.

20. Mr. HOGGE

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of aluminium hollow-ware imported during the first six months of this year from Switzerland; and whether this importation from Switzerland will be increased owing to the imposition of a duty on German hollow-ware?

Mr. BALDWIN

The imports of aluminium domestic hollow-ware into the United Kingdom, consigned from Switzerland, registered during the first six months of this year amounted to 25 tons. As regards the second part, I cannot offer any prophecy.

22. Mr. KENYON

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the enamelled hollow-ware imported from Germany during the year 1921 was imported from Upper Silesia, which has now been ceded to Poland?

Mr. BALDWIN

I regret that I am unable to give this information.