§ 40. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can account for the 300 per cent. increase of the imports of American motor cars into this country in the first six months of this year as compared with last year?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI think the principal explanation is that the imports in the first half of 1926 were smaller than they would normally have been, because the heavy importations in the spring of 1925, in anticipation of the re-imposition of the duty, had not been worked off.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs not this great increase of American imports a very serious matter for this country, and will not the hon. Gentleman take steps by which our own motor industry could fill up this gap?
§ 41. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the numbers and the value of American motor cars assembled or partly manufactured in Canada to an extent sufficient to obtain the reduced rates of Imperial Preference that have been imported into this country in the first six months of this year; and whether there is an increase as compared with last year?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI regret that the available particulars are not sufficient to provide the information which my hon. and gallant Friend desires.