HC Deb 09 April 1923 vol 162 cc867-8
36. Mr. J. H. SIMPSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Central Importing Agency was a department of the private firm of Fairclough, Dodd, and Jones; and, if so, whether he can state why it was allowed to trade virtually as a department of the Board of Trade?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Viscount Wolmer)

The Central Importing Agency was art organisation set up by Messrs. Fairclough, Dodd, and Jones to conduct the business of agents of the Board of Trade for the distribution of German reparation dyes. I am not aware that the Agency claimed to be a department of the Board of Trade.

37. Major ATTLEE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Dyestuffs Advisory Committee have refused to give a definite reply to the application of Mr. Thomas H. Daniels, of Belfast, to import a quantity of oxydiamine brown G, although informed that this dyestuff was unobtainable from British manufacturers; that, although informed that Mr. Daniels' customer had tried the products of British firms and found them unsuitable, the Committee directed Mr. Daniels to apply to the British Dyestuffs Corporation, Limited, for a substitute; whether he is aware that the Dyestuffs Advisory Committee demanded a sample of this dyestuff, while refusing to allow Mr. Daniels to import a quantity from which a sample might have been supplied; and whether he will take steps to see that isolated firms, such as that of Mr. Daniels, in Belfast, are afforded as good facilities for carrying on their business as others?

Viscount WOLMER

I am informed that the Dyestuffs Advisory Committee have indicated alternative British sources for the supply of a dyestuff equivalent to that which the applicant wishes to import, and, as they have not received any evidence from a consumer that such equivalent is unsuitable, they have declined to grant a licence. As regards the last part of the question, I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that all applicants for licences are given equal consideration.

Major ATTLEE

Is not the Noble Lord aware that this importer has given evidence to the Dyestuffs Board that he cannot get the quality he requires from a British firm, and ought not this man to be treated as knowing something about his own business?

Viscount WOLMER

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that he is misinformed.