§ 1. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the application of the silk trade for protection under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act has been refused by the Board of Trade on the ground that the trade is unable to put a prima facie case, and whether ho will state the authority of the Board to refuse the application of an industry which claims that its interests are affected?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Baldwin)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer my hon. Friend to Section 2, Sub-section (1), of the Act, from which he will observe that, before a complaint can be referred to a Committee, it must appear to the Board of Trade that the conditions specified in that Sub-section have been fulfilled.
§ Mr. REMERIn view of the great dissatisfaction which has been created, will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation of silk manufacturers on the subject?
§ Mr. BALDWINI will consider that.