§ Mr. HARMSWORTH(by Private Notice) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a list of industries which have applied for import duties under the provisions of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, indicating applications successful, unsuccessful, and still under consideration?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI presume the hon. Member is referring to the new safeguarding of industries procedure which has been in operation since the early part of this year. Ten applications have been referred by the Board of Trade for enquiry by a committee. The reports of the inquiries in regard to lace and embroidery and to superphosphates were published some time ago, and a duty was imposed upon lace and embroidery in the last Finance Act. Inquiries are proceeding in regard to wrapping and packing paper, brooms and brushes, enamelled hollow-ware, cutlery, and worsted tissues. The committees on leather and fabric gloves and glove fabric, on gas mantles and on aluminium hollow-ware, have reported, but, as I stated on the 28th July, in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain Benn), the Government do not consider that it would be in the public interest to publish the results of inquiries, whether in favour of a duty or not, until such time as they are prepared to introduce legislation in any case where it is decided to propose a duty to Parliament.
For the reasons which I have already given in this House, I think it is in the 29 general interest that the practice prevailing under the Safeguarding of Industries Act should be adhered to, and that information should not be given with regard to applications unless and until they are referred to a committee for inquiry.
Captain BENNIs it intended to introduce legislation in this part of the Session to carry out the Reports which have been approved by the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir.
§ Captain W. SHAWMight I ask the Minister if he is aware that the delay that has taken place between whatever decision has been arrived at by the Committee and the legislation necessary to enforce that is actually allowing the destruction of the fabric glove trade by means of a large import into this country, whereby any good effect will be destroyed?
§ Mr. HARRISAm I to understand that when Reports are in favour of the duty they are to be published, and if they are not in favour they are not to be published?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not propose until legislation is introduced to issue any Reports, otherwise that would give the case away.
§ Mr. HARRISAm I. to understand that the Minister is willing to publish favourable but not unfavourable Reports?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERWhen the time for legislation comes, all relevant Reports will be published, whether favourable or unfavourable. I decline, however, to publish one set of Reports and not another.