§ 2. Mr. W. GREENWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade the value of Egyptian yarns over 40s.-counts exported from Lancashire to Germany in 944 the year 1921; the value of fabric gloves exported from Germany to this country in 1921; and the value of the total of the exports of fabric gloves from Germany to all countries in 1921?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Baldwin)Separate particulars of exports of cotton yarns spun from Egyptian cotton are not available. In the year 1921 the value of gloves of woven fabric other than silk imported into the United Kingdom registered as consigned from Germany was£110,576. Fabric gloves are not separately recorded in the German official trade returns relating to 1921 so far published, and I am, consequently, not in a position to state the value of the exports of such gloves from Germany during that year.
§ Mr. GREENWOODIs it not a fact that the total exports of cotton of that nature represents a value of over£12,000,000?
§ Mr. BALDWINI have no information.
§ 4. Sir WILLIAM SEAGERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee which dealt with the scheduling of glove fabric and fabric gloves under the Safeguarding of Industries Act has yet submitted its Report to the Board; if so, will the Government make an official statement immediately as to whether the industry is, or is not, to be safeguarded against dumping; whether it is realised that, as a result of this delay, foreign exporters have pressed large supplies of fabric gloves on the British market since December; that the number of employés engaged in this country is now less than one-third of the total of two or three years ago; and that manufacturers are at a loss to know what to do in the circumstances?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The position as regards imports of fabric gloves and as regards employment in the industry in this country is generally as stated in the question. As regards the second part of the question, I cannot at present add anything to the statement I made in the House on the 12th April.
§ Sir W. SEAGERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the safeguarding of this industry and so prevent further unemployment?
§ Mr. G. TERRELLWhen does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make a statement with regard to this particular industry; and is he aware that on 20th March last he promised that a statement should be made before Easter.
§ Mr. BALDWINI hope that I shall be able to make a statement before long.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us clearly and explicitly the reason for the delay?
§ Mr. REMERIs it not a fact that the Committee reported, over three months ago? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is great unemployment in this trade, and in these circumstances will the Government come to a quick decision?
§ Mr. HURDHow many of the unemployed in the fabric gloves trade are in receipt of unemployment doles?
§ 23. Mr. GREENWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade the numbers of persons unemployed of those normally engaged in the fine-cotton spinning industry in Bolton, and the number at present unemployed of those who three years ago were engaged in making fabric gloves in this country?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Sir Montague Barlow)I have been asked to reply. I regret the available statistics do not enable me to give the information desired by my hon. Friend.