§ 25. Colonel APPLINasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the value of foreign-made carpets imported into this country during the last three months of 1925 and the first three months of 1926; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the wages of British carpet makers from Oriental and Continental cheap labour?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe retained imports of carpets, carpeting and rugs of wool (including carpets and rugs on a wool or jute basis) amounted in the last three months of 1925 to £352,642, and in the first three months of 1926 to £465,208. As regards the second part of the question, it is open to the industry to make application, in accordance with the Safeguarding of Industries procedure, if it is of opinion that it can establish a case.