HC Deb 08 July 1930 vol 241 cc213-4
29. Mr. HERBERT GIBSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether boots and shoes made by convict labour in Sing Sing Prison, America, are imported and sold in Great Britain?

Mr. GRAHAM

I have no information that boots and shoes, made as stated in the question, have been imported into the United Kingdom.

Mr. McSHANE

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries whether there are such boots imported?

Mr. GRAHAM

Under the Foreign Prison Made Goods Act, 1897, there is power to deal with a matter of this kind if we get information, but in all these cases I have never been able to get precise information from anyone.

Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

Surely the Labour party will not object to boots and shoes coming in.

Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMAN

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever seen an American Consular invoice?

Mr. GRAHAM

I have received a goad many documents in my time, but the Rouse must understand that we require information to be tendered to the Customs or other authorities before we can act. That information I have never been able to get.

Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

If the right bon. Gentleman finds that there is any truth in the suggestion in this question, will he take steps to prohibit the importation of such articles?

Mr. GRAHAM

Of course, that is hypothetical. I must get the information, and, if the case falls within the Act, it is for the Government to decide whether steps should be taken.

Sir K. WOOD

Is it not a fact that, whatever the right hon. Gentleman proposes, the Liberals will not let him do it?

Mr. GRAHAM

That is not a fact.