HC Deb 31 March 1925 vol 182 cc1072-3
3. Mr. DENNISON

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any steel manufacturers have made application to be considered under the provisions of the Safeguarding of Industries Act: if so, will he give the names of the applicants; and whether, having regard to the fact that the workpeople in this industry have to depend on its welfare for their existence, ample and timely opportunity will be afforded the workpeople's organisation to give evidence prior to the Committee making a recommendation?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

In answer to the first and second parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson) and others on the 17th March, of which I am sending him a copy. As regards the last part of the question, public announcements will be made of all applications referred to committees, so that all organisations and persons desiring to tender relevant evidence may have the opportunity of doing so.

Mr. DENNISON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some idea as to how much time will be allowed them for doing so?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I think there will be ample time.

Mr. DENNISON

Could we not have a more definite reply saying what number of days will be available?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

It will certainly be four to six days. In a matter like that of steel, where certainly, from what I know, and I think the hon. Member will bear me out, employers and employed in the trade are in very close relations, I do not think that any difficulty on that account will arise.

7. Mr. LEES SMITH

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board will help opponents of an application for protection under the Safeguarding of Industries Acts with information that is available to or can be obtained by the Board?

Sir P. CUNLIFFIE-LISTER

I shall be prepared to consider any request for assistance of this nature either by applicants or opponents in any particular case.

10. Mr. SMITH

also asked the President of the Board of Trade whether merchants will be permitted to give evidence or to oppose applications under the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Yes, Sir, so far as their evidence or their opposition is relevant to the particular matters referred to the Committees.

8. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of photographic cameras imported during the years 1922 and 1923; and the amount of duty collected under the Safeguarding of Industries Act upon the same?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Guinness)

The numbers of photographic cameras imported during the years 1922 and 1923 Were 281,797 and 396,973 respectively. The bulk of the importations are corsigned from Canada, and are exempt, under Section 1 (3) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, from the charge of Key Industry Duty as of Empire manufacture. I regret that it is not possible to furnish the amounts of duty collected on those importations.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Will not the new Act necessitate a special application if these Canadian cameras are to be kept out?