§ 3. Mrs. WINTRINGHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state what reasons there were for appointing a Committee to investigate the dumping of cotton gloves into Great Britain as a result of depreciated currency, seeing that the imports of cotton gloves in the year 1913 was 2½ million dozen pairs at an average value of 6s. 8d. per dozen pairs, whilst in 1921 the number of imports was only 570,000 dozens and the average value 20s. per dozen pairs?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am sending the hon. Member a table, from which it will be seen that the figures quoted in the question do not fully represent the facts. The Board satisfied themselves before referring the matter to a Committee that a primâ facie case had been established under Section 2, (1) (b), of the Act.
§ Following is the Table:
§ The following statement shows the quantity, declared value, and average
| Year. | Quantity Imported. | Declared Value thereof. | Average Value per Dozen Pairs. | |
| 1913. | Dozen Pairs. | £ | s. | d. |
| Cotton gloves | 2,531,798 | 728,050 | 5 | 9 |
| 1921. | ||||
| Cotton gloves (knitted, netted and crocheted). | 577,292 | 512,163 | 17 | 9 |
| Cloves of woven fabric (other than silk) | 142,631 | 138,472 | 19 | 5 |
| Total | 719,923 | 650,635 | 18 | 1 |
§ Prior to 1920 the heading "Cotton gloves" included all kinds of gloves manufactured wholly or mainly of cotton, irrespective of the method of manufacture.
§ The particulars for 1921 were, however, compiled on a somewhat different basis, and unavoidably include a quantity of fabric gloves woven from textile materials other than cotton or silk. The quantity so included is believed to be relatively small.
§ 19. Sir ARTHUR FELLasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity and value of the cotton thread exported from this country to Germany in 1921; how much of it came back to this country in the form of fabric
| —— | Quantity. | Value. | |||
| Cotton yarns— | |||||
| Grey unbleached: | lbs. | £ | |||
| Up to No. 40 | … | … | … | 1,055,200 | 152,025 |
| Over No. 40 and up to No. 80 | … | … | … | 9,235 900 | 2,050,875 |
| Over No.80 and up to No. 120 | … | … | … | 4,055,600 | 1,273,596 |
| Over No. 120 | … | … | … | 493,600 | 230,269 |
| Bleached and dyed: | |||||
| Up to No. 40 | … | … | … | 1,300 | 585 |
| Over No. 40 and up to No. 80 | … | … | … | 20,500 | 8,316 |
| Over No. 80 and up to No. 120 | … | … | … | 200 | 90 |
| Over No. 120 | … | … | … | — | — |
| Total of Cotton yarns | … | … | … | 14,862,300 | 3,715,756 |
| Finished threads | … | … | … | 49,800 | 22,108 |
§ value of cotton gloves of all kinds registered as imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1913 and 1921, so far as the particulars are available:
§ gloves; and how much of it remained in Germany or was exported to other countries, according to the best estimate that is available for the, past year?
§ Mr. BALDWINI will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures giving the information asked for in the first part of the question. As to the second and third parts, however, I regret that I can give no estimate.
§ Sir A. FELLWould it not be of immense advantage if some estimate and decision could be given as to whether these fabric gloves are to be taxed?
§ Mr. BALDWINI doubt whether the-precise figure could be got, but I will see.
§ Following is the promised information: