§ 71. Mr. DIXEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the depressed state of the British granite trade owing to foreign competition; and, if so, what action, if any, does he propose to take?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, I am not at present in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. DIXEYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the application of the Safeguarding of Industries Act to this industry?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe hon. Member is aware that it is open to any industry to make an application under that Act.
Commander WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman circularise Government Departments and also councils like the county councils calling their attention to the condition of this trade and ask them, as far as they can, to buy British granite whenever they are making contracts?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI rather gather that this applies to monumental granite, which is used largely for the building of tombstones, and I do not think Government Departments are very largely concerned with it. As regards building granite, the Minister of Health and I have asked Government Departments to purchase as much British goods as possible.
§ Mr. DIXEYIf it applies to setts, will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with county councils?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERCertainly. As I have said, the Minister and I have already invited all local authorities to buy British goods wherever they can.
§ Colonel DAYWhat about British typewriters?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThat is a good example. We are buying them wherever we can.