§ 34 and 35. Mr. SOPERasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the values of ornamental glass imported during the months of August, September, October, and November for the years 1929, 1930, and 1931, respectively;
(2) the quantity and average value per dozen of table forks imported during the months of August, September, October, and November, for the years 1929, 1930, and 1931; and can he give similar particulars with regard to exports of British forks for the same period?
§ 85. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of doors of foreign manufacture imported into this country for the most recent month for which figures are available; and what the figures were for the same month last year?
§ 110. Mr. GLOSSOPasked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of imported mohair-pile table covers for the last month for which figures are available, and the corresponding figures for the same period in 1930?
§ Mr. RUNC1MANI regret that the desired information is not available, as the imports and exports of these goods are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom.
§ 37. Mr. LUKE THOMPSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether seeing that the imports of brushes and brooms have considerably increased during the first 10 months of 1931 as compared with the same period in 1929, he is prepared to include this industry in the next list of duties under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act?
§ 41 and 42. Mr. STOREYasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that illuminating glassware is usually made in the same works and the same furnaces as domestic glassware, and that the order, under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, which applies to domestic glassware only is likely to lead foreign manufacturers to concentrate upon dumping illuminating glassware, the imports of which have been steadily increasing; and whether, in view of these facts, he will include illuminating glassware in the next order under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act;
(2) whether, in view of the large imports of writing and printing papers from foreign countries during October and as British mills in depressed areas are only working at from 65 per cent. to 75 per cent. of their full output, he will consider including these papers in the next Order under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act?
§ 44. Mr. BOULTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the abnormal importation of sheet lead and lead pipes into this country which is competing with the home industry; and whether he will consider taking steps to safeguard this industry?
§ 82. Earl CASTLE STEWARTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the imports of fancy cotton hosiery in 1930 were five times as great as the imports in 1928, and that imports of fancy woollen hosiery in 1930 were nearly twice as great as the imports in 1928; and whether he will deal with these imports under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931?
§ 93. Mr. PERKINSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that a duty has been imposed on woollen materials in the piece and that no duty has been put on the finished article, such as bathing costumes, etc., he will consider the advisability of such a duty?
§ 94. Sir PARK GOFFasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the quantities of foreign cement imported into this country during the past six weeks; and, seeing that this abnormal import has brought to a standstill the cement factories on the Medway, with resulting loss of employment to a number of people, 1679 whether he will take steps to protect this industry?
§ 102. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state whether needles will be included in the next Order issued under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931, in view of the considerable increase in importations in the last two months?
§ 104 Mr. LYONSasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if his attention has been called to the recent imports of elastic webbing; and whether he proposes to take any action in this regard under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931;
(2) if his attention has been called to the imports of cotton hose and underwear; and whether he proposes to take any action in this regard under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931;
(3) if his attention has been called to the fact that out of 18,259 machines in the silk industry in Great Britain 10,356 were idle in November, 1931; and if it is his intention to take any action with regard to this industry under the Abnormal Importations Act, 1931?
§ 106. Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the telegram, of which a copy has been sent to him, from the bright-steel bar manufacturers to the effect that they ask for security against foreign competition and emphasise that, if included under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, they will raise no objection to a duty on their raw materials, including black bars and billets; and whether he will now impose the duties referred to?
§ 109. Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the increase of the importation of artificial silk tissue, pure or mixed, in October, 1931, 1,741,624 lbs. weight, as compared with October, 1930, 1,322,844 lbs. weight; and if it is his intention to apply the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931, to these articles?
§ 113. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has 1680 been called to the abnormal increase of silk-piece goods, wholly of silk, imported in August, 1931, to 3,204,319 square yards from 2,789,177 in 1930; in September to 4,638,814 square yards from 3,391,646 in September, 1930; in October, 1931, to 3,743,044 square yards from 3,696,999 square yards in 1930, and 3,353,756 square yards in 1929; if he is aware that there are large stocks in Lyons unsold, and that the bankers are ordering the manufacturers to sell these stocks at any price available; and if he intends to bring these goods under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931?
§ 115. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a communication from the Cold Rolled Brass and Copper Association, embodying details of abnormal imports of brass, copper and nickel silver articles with serious effect upon employment in Birmingham; and if he proposes to make an early Order extending the provisions of the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931, to these industries?
§ 121. Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the competition from which the English paper mills are suffering at the present time, he will consider the extension of the provisions of the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931, to include printing paper, news paper and writing paper in addition to the categories of paper stated in the No. 2 Order annexed to the said Act?
§ 128. Viscount EDNAMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the economic position of the iron and steel industry as reflected in the financial reports of its operation now becoming available, he will take action before Christmas, under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, to prevent forestalling of the effect of more permanent measures?
§ 134. Captain DOWERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that 250,000 dozen felt-hat hoods from Monza, Italy, have been imported into this country during the last few weeks, the bulk of which were sent by parcel post to avoid the figures appearing in the Trade and Navigation Returns; and, in view of this abnormal importation of felt hoods, will he reconsider his previous decision and impose a duty?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAs the House has been informed on many occasions recently, it would not be proper for me to give any indication of what articles may or may not be included in any future Orders that may be made under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act.
§ Mr. O'CONNORDoes slot the procedure which the President of the Board of Trade has bad to adopt show the necessity of setting up a tariff commission?
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that granite will be included in the next list?
§ Dr. MORRIS-JONESIn order to save the time of the House, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to prohibit all imports?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDo not all these questions indicate a good deal of discontent with the Government?
§ 43. Major the Marquess of TITCHFIELDasked the President of the Board of Trade if it is the intention of the Government to protect the lace industry from foreign competition; and, if so, when the lace duties will be reimposed?
§ 80. Mr. BOULTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the trade of scales and handle manufacturing in fancy timbers is now experiencing foreign competition; and, in view of the unemployment caused, will he consider taking such immediate steps as are necessary to safeguard this industry?
§ 101. Mr. LEVYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that cotton yarn from the Continent is still being imported into this country in large quantities, underselling our own yarn manufacturers by 1½d. per pound; and what action does he propose to take to stop this competition?
§ 111. Major BEAUMONT THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take action to prevent the dumping of iron and steel products 1682 into this country at prices substantially lower than they are sold in the country of origin?
§ 119. Lord SCONEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider imposing a tariff on imported toys and games, seeing that the annual value of such imports exceeds £2,000,000?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe only powers I have to impose duties are those under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, and in this regard I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Members for Barnsbaple (Sir B. Peto), Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson), and South-East Leeds (Major Milner) on 25th November.
Marquess of TITCHFIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that these duties prevented the lace trade of Nottingham from being wiped out; and will he use his influence with the Cabinet to see that they are reimposed at, the earliest possible moment?
§ Major THOMASWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to stop dumping as apart from abnormal importation?
§ Mr. McGOVERNIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation from the industries concerned?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have already answered a question on that subject this afternoon. With regard to the lace trade, the condition of the trade will, of course, be taken into consideration. As for the difference between dumping and abnormal importation, I am afraid I am not ready with a definition.
§ Mr. MAXTONThe previous reply, of which the right hon. Gentleman spoke, had reference to deputations from industries which do not want tariffs. What my hon. Friend the Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) asked was whether he would receive a deputation from those who do want tariffs?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANFrom my recent experience, I should say the time absorbed by deputations from those who do want tariffs is just as great as from those who do not.
§ 81. Earl CASTLE STEWARTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can furnish figures which will show the imports of elastic cords, webs, braids, 1683 and fabrics in the months of September, October, and any successive periods in the month of November of this year?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANDuring the months of September and October, 1931, the total declared value of the imports into the United Kingdom of elastic cords, webs, braid and fabrics not comprised under other headings, such as apparel, in the Import and Export List, was £20,088 and £24,160, respectively.
§ 83. Mr. LEES-JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will permit the importation into this country, duty free, of Swiss embroideries or organdies processed from grey cotton piece-goods made in and exported from this country?
§ 114. Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade if, when he is considering measures to check the abnormal importations of manufactured cotton goods commonly known as coloured cotton, he will, in view of the advisability of introducing some system to cater for British yarn sent abroad to be specially dyed, make provision for this?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThese matters will be borne in mind if and when the occasion arises.
§ 89. Mr. SIMMONDSasked the President of the Board of Trade the comparative imports of- wire and wire products during recent weeks and during a similar period in 1930; and whether he will deal with this matter under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931?
§ 96. Sir H. CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the depression in the wire industry; whether there are abnormal imports of wire and wire manufactures; and if he intends to take action?
§ 112. Major THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to prevent the abnormal importations of wire and wire products which can be manufactured in this country?
§ 127. Mr. STOURTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the abnormal imports recently of wire and wire products, he will consider imposing a duty on these articles at an early date?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANParticulars of recent imports of wire and wire manufactures of iron and steel will be found in the monthly "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom." For the rest I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given on the 25th November to the hon. Members for Barnstaple (Sir B. Peto), Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson), and South-East Leeds (Major Milner).
§ 103. Captain BARTONasked the President of the Board of Trade the total imports of hemp line and tow yarns, cordage, cables, etc., of hemp or like material under a quarter-inch in diameter, binder and reaper twine, and other descriptions, respectively, for November, 1931?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANParticulars of the imports of these articles during November will be published on Friday in the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom."
§ 116. Lieut. - Colonel Sir MERVYN MANNINGHAM-BULLERasked the President of the Board of Trade the volume and value of the imports of women's shoes into this country for each of the past three months, as compared with the corresponding periods last year; and the export figures of such shoes for the two periods in question?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy hon. and gallant Friend will find particulars of the imports and exports of women's boots and shoes in the monthly "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom." Figures for the month of November will be published on Friday next.
§ Sir M. MANNINGHAM-BULLERIf these figures prove that there is a considerable reduction in exports and a considerable increase in imports, will the right hon. Gentleman give favourable consideration to this case in making further Orders under the Abnormal Importations Act?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot make any statement in anticipation of the drawing up of the next Order.
§ 118. Mr. ALBERYasked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of newsprint imported for the year ended December, 1930, from the British Dominions and from foreign countries; and 1685 the amount of coal which would be used in producing the foreign importation if produced in this country?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy hon. Friend will find detailed particulars of the imports of news printing paper into the United Kingdom during the year 1930, consigned from British and foreign countries, in Volume II of the "Annual Statement of the Trade of tike United Kingdom" for 1930 (p. 272). I have not the information necessary to answer the second part of the question.
§ Mr. ALBERYIf the right hon. Gentleman has figures for the imports, is it not a simple calculation to find out bow much coal would be required?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid we have no means of ascertaining that.
§ Mr. HARRISWill my right hon. Friend consult the newspapers about this matter before coming to a decision?
§ 122 and 123. Mr. CROSSasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, as far as figures are yet available, there has been greater abnormality in the quantity of imports of woollen blankets or of cotton blankets, stating the dates to which his figures refer;
(2) the quantities and values of cotton sheets and cotton blankets, respectively, which were imported into this country in August, September, October and November, in each of the years 1924, 1930, and 1931?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANParticulars of the imports of cotton sheets and cotton blankets are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom. I regret, therefore, that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not available.
§ 126. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total imports in tonnage and value of special steels during the months of September, October, and November, 1931?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANParticulars of the imports of special steels are published in the monthly "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom." The accounts for November will be published on Friday.