§ 3. Sir BASIL PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the date of the first sitting of the Committee appointed to consider the application of the Yorkshire woollen industry for safeguarding; how many sittings the Committee held; the number of witnesses heard; the date of the last sitting of the Committee; whether he can give any indication as to the date when the Committee's Report may be expected; and whether he can state the reason of the long delay in reporting the decision of the Committee?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe first public sitting of the Committee took place on the 4th of February, and the last on the 28th of March. I understand that the hearing occupied 24 sittings and that 37 witnesses were called. I am not able to say when the Committee will present their Report, but, in view of the importance and complexity of the case, I do not think it would be reasonable to suggest that any undue delay has taken place.
§ Sir B. PETOWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that uncertainty with regard to the future is very prejudicial to the course of the industry, and that there is evidence that foreign manufacturers are taking advantage of this state of uncertainty now, and can he indicate whether any announcement will be made, in view of the fact that the Finance Bill was introduced yesterday and that the period of the present Parliament is running out?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERObviously, I can make no announcement of any kind until, first of all, the Report has been received, and then the Government have had the opportunity of considering it. I 688 may say that I think one of the members of the Committee was taken seriously ill just at the end of the inquiry and was only able to continue and return to work a short time ago, but I am certain that a responsible Committee of this kind will not incur any unnecessary delay.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEIf it is true that Safeguarding does these wonderful things, why do the Government refuse to apply it to agriculture?