HC Deb 11 March 1924 vol 170 cc2096-7
2. Mr. ERSKINE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the London and North Eastern Railway Company has placed large orders for railway tyres in Belgium; and whether, in view of the serious effect that this and similar orders must have on the labour market, he will consider the further extension of the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Webb)

I have no knowledge of the purchases of the railway companies, but I have seen Press statements to the effect indicated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I would refer to the answer given by the Deputy-Leader of the House on 6th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Mr. ERSKINE

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is good for the country that these orders should go out of England to foreign countries?

Mr. WEBB

That general question can hardly be discussed by way of question and answer; it is sufficient to say that the Government has no control over the purchases of the railway companies.

Mr. LINFIELD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British price is 60 per cent. above the Belgian price with both based on the same specification?

27. Mr. HARMSWORTH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will appoint a committee of representative manufacturers and trade unionists to inquire into the effect upon British industry and employment of the frequent placing of contracts for work abroad?

Mr. WEBB

I am aware of the difficulties with which, under existing conditions, British manufacturers have to contend in competing for contracts, but, as I have previously indicated, I am very doubtful if any useful purpose would be served by a general inquiry of the kind suggested.

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Is it not a fact that it is becoming increasingly frequent to place these contracts abroad, and do not the Government think that something should be done in this matter?

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the British railways have just completed a large contract for steel rails at £2 per ton more than the Belgian quotation, and ought not further inquiries to be made as to the reason?

Mr. SPEAKER

We had an answer to that question before the hon. Member came into the House.

Captain Viscount EDNAM

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of the contracts are placed in this country at a loss in order to retain the trade?

Mr. WEBB

It is impossible to give any useful information, on this subject by question and answer, but I believe that our contractors have successfully placed contracts and fulfilled orders for overseas up to some £500,000,000. As to the tenders which they have not succeeded in placing, I seem to remember, some 30 or 40 years ago almost identical complaints being made, and I would suggest that it would be far more advantageous to advertise the fact that we have succeeded in fulfilling orders—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]—than to complain in this way.