HC Deb 17 July 1922 vol 156 c1698
4. Mr. JAMES WILSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that ever since December, 1920, Norwegian cement has been on sale in this country at a minimum of 10s. per ton under prices charged by the British Portland Cement Marketing Syndicate, and is still on sale at 7s. per ton less than British manufacturers' prices; and whether he will now take steps to ensure that British contractors and public authorities may continue to receive consignments of Norwegian cement?

Mr. BALDWIN

The prices publicly quoted for bulk consignments of British cement during 1921 were slightly below the average declared value of imported Norwegian cement; the price of British cement and the average value of imported Norwegian cement have both fallen in the present year, but continue to approximate closely. I have no power to secure that Norwegian makers will continue to send consignments of cement to this country.

Mr. WILSON

Has the right hon. Gentleman any power to prevent the British syndicate from boycotting Nor wegian cement?

Mr. BALDWIN

I have no knowledge of that.