§ 2. Mr. BENNETTasked the President of the Board of Trade how many foreign firms have established works in this country since the beginning of July for the purpose of manufacturing articles protected by the reimposed McKenna Duties and the Safeguarding of Industries Act: and if he can give any indication of the numbers of persons to whom employment is being or will be given?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI presume my hon. Friend has in mind the reimposed McKenna Duties and the Lace and Silk Duties. I have seen newspaper reports regarding the establishment or proposed establishment in this country by foreign interests of silk and artificial silk under- 1117 takings, and the opening of a new works by a foreign motor manufacturer, but the period since the passing of the Finance Act has obviously been too short for any such schemes to become effective, and I am not able to give the information asked for in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. P. HARRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of manufacturers of garments have had to close down on account of these duties.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo. My information is exactly the opposite.