§ 2. Mr. RAMSDENasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications for safeguarding that he has received, the number rejected, the number referred to committees, and the results of their recommendations?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)The total number of applications received is 46. Seventeen applications have been referred to committees of inquiry; in eight of these cases the committees have reported unfavourably, in seven cases favourably, and in two the inquiries are proceeding. Safeguarding duties have been imposed in all cases where they have been recommended by the committees. In four other cases—touring cars, commercial cars, tyres and carbon electrodes—duties have been imposed in recent Finance Acts. Five applications are under consideration. Of the remainder, three were covered by the Government's decision on iron and steel, and 17 have been rejected by the Board of Trade as 1566 failing to establish a prima facie case under the White Paper.
Mr. ERSKINEWould it not be a very good thing to replace this committee by one which is more patriotic?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise out of the answer.
§ Mr. LOOKERDoes the Minister think that the complicated nature of the procedure which has to be gone through has any effect in deterring applicants from making applications?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question also does not arise out of the answer.