§ 8. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received protests from the Birmingham and Leicester Chambers of Commerce against the repeal of the anti-dumping provisions of Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921; and if, in the event of the Finance Bill becoming law in its present form, he is prepared to introduce a measure to counteract the dumping of goods into this country at prices below the home market value in the country of origin?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMA communication of the nature indicated by the hon. Member has been received from the Birmingham Chamber. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. HANNONIs the right hon. Gentleman to continue in this helpless position on that bench from day to day, answering questions in this way, having repealed the only existing machinery that we have for dealing with the dumping of goods in this country? Does he contemplate introducing any other form of legislation to keep out the dumpers?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe short reply is that the power under the Act of 1921, which was in existence during the lifetime mostly of our predecessors in office, is absolutely useless for this purpose and not a single duty could be applied.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes the right hon. Gentleman contemplate the introduction of any form of legislation which would prevent the dumping into this country of goods produced under conditions which we would not tolerate here, while our own people are walking the streets unemployed?
§ Mr. GRAHAMMy hon. Friend indicates a tariff or duty of some kind as possible. The Act of 1921 was useless.