§ 1. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British gunmakers are placed in a very unfavourable position in relation to their foreign competitors owing to 2018 wholesale evasions of the provisions of the Gun Barrel Proof Act, 1868; that great numbers of finished arms are entering this country by parcels post in addition to partly finished arms imported by sea; and whether, seeing that such arms are not included in the Returns issued by the Board of Trade, he will take steps to ensure that such elements of inaccuracy should be removed from the information so necessary to British manufacturers to enable them to meet foreign competition?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Lloyd-Greame)I have no reason to think that any considerable importation of firearms is taking place without licence, but I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any instances of which he may have knowledge.
§ Mr. HANNONIs my right hon. Friend aware that representations have already been made to his Department on this subject and that correspondence was sent a long time ago, but there has been no reply?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI am aware of the representations, but not of the latter point. What has happened is that when representations have been made, we have asked for any evidence or any material relating to the matter, and we have never been able to get it.