§ 11. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any figures showing the production of lace goods at the present time; the number of persons employed in the lace industry; and the corresponding figures for this date or a near date in 1926?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI regret that the information furnished by the trade is not sufficiently complete for me to give the particulars which the hon. and gallant Member desires.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow is it the right hon. Gentleman can give these figures for motor cars, watches and other articles when they are favourable to his policy, but is unable to get them when they are not so favourable?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am glad the hon. and gallant Gentleman asked that, because, as a matter of fact, I have tried to get results from every single trade which is protected by a duty. I have got some figures which are quite inadequate from the lace trade. I hope they will be able to give the same figures that many other trades have given.
§ Sir H. CROFTIs it not a fact that during the last fortnight hopes have been expressed in Nottingham that the trade has revived to a very great extent?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe must not have these fiscal debates now.