§ 6. Mr. HARRISasked the President of the Board of Trade what methods are adopted to make known to the public and the various trade interests concerned that it is proposed to hold an inquiry under the Safeguarding of Industries Regulations; and how long notice is given so that those interested in supporting or opposing a proposed duty have time to prepare evidence?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAn announcement of the appointment of any committee under the Safeguarding procedure is made in the daily Press, in the appropriate trade papers, and in the 2018
Board of Trade Journal," usually about three weeks before the commencement of the public hearing.
§ Mr. HARRISWould not the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability, in the interests of all parties concerned, of giving a longer notice, so that both the parties who desire safeguarding and the parties who are opposed may have ample opportunities to prepare their case, as throe weeks is too short?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo. I have seen no backwardness on the part of opponents in coming forward to present their case at great length.
§ Mr. HARRISHas it not been constantly alleged by opponents that three weeks is not long enough in which to get the necessary information and collect it, very often, from a very large area?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have not heard that, and the obvious answer which disproves that is that on every occasion the opponents have produced every argument, relevant or irrelevant, against the applications.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware that, according to the very last Report that was published and dealt with in this House, it was proved in the evidence itself that the statements made by those who support safeguarding were inaccurate, but that time was not available during the hearing to get accurate statements?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI do not accept that, but it is not the point. The point, as I understand it, of putting the question is that the opponents should have longer notice.
§ Mr. HARRISNo. Both sides.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThen I can answer most emphatically, on behalf of the applicants, that I have never had any complaint from any applicant of the shortness of notice.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs it true that the Government are holding an inquiry into iron and steel, and have those trades been notified by the Government?
§ Mr. ALEXANDERThen it is not true?