§ 8. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to introduce legislation for the continuance of the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act?
3. Major WOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the intentions of the Government with respect to the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I returned to a question on the same subject put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumbarton (Mr. Brooke) on the 19th November.
§ Mr. HANNONHas the right hon. Gentleman's Department really considered the serious consequences involved in the decision at which the 1067 Government have arrived, and has he contemplated the number of people who will be displaced in employment, and the blow that will be struck at one of the most interesting industries developed since the War?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI cannot accept the statement of my hon. Friend on that point. We gave prolonged consideration to this subject on the lines which I indicated in my reply some days ago; in any event, I understand that it will be discussed fin the House at an early date.
§ 23. Mr. MARJORIBANKSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the introduction of measures to protect the British dyestuffs industry against abnormal foreign competition, such as dumping below costs of production?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe decision of the Government in regard to the continuance of the Dyestuffs Act is, I understand, to be discussed in this House at an early date, and the hon. Member will then have an opportunity of advancing considerations such as those mentioned in the question.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that he said this industry is able to bear normal foreign competition?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes, I am bearing many things in mind in preparation for the debate.