§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHI beg to present a Petition signed by 6,000 employers and workpeople engaged in the cutlery industry, and by the Master Cutler of Sheffield, the President of the Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers' Association, the Secretary of the Sheffield United Cutlery Council, and representatives of the trade unions in the cutlery trade, Showing that the continuance of the Safeguarding Duty on imported cutlery on and after the 22nd December, 1930, for a further period of five years, is of the utmost importance to the industry in which the petitioners are engaged, inasmuch as the existing duty has greatly benefited the trade and is regarded as vital to its welfare; that it has encouraged a new branch of the cutlery trade, namely, the manufacture of safety razor blades; that it has relieved unemployment; and that, if the duty is removed, the trade and industry is certain to suffer very grievously; and praying, therefore, that the said Safeguarding Duty on imported cutlery may be renewed for the said period of five years.
Mr. MACLEANOn a point of Order. Is it customary, when a petition is presented in this House, that arguments should be adduced regarding a very serious controversial point?
§ Mr. SPEAKERPetitioners can petition as they like, provided that the Petition is in order.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere appears to be nothing out of order in this case.