12. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the House any information as to the number of persons employed in the entrepôt trade in this country; whether there is any indication of this trade being transferred to Continental centres where tariff restrictions already exist; and if he will try and arrange for statistics to be kept showing how far employment figures are affected in particular trades or industries concerned with the duties now being imposed under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI regret that separate statistics of the number of persons employed in the entrepôt trade in this country are not available. I am in- 2030 formed by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that no information is available with regard to the second part of the question. As regards the last part of the question, the statistics of employment and unemployment compiled by my Department and published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette show separately a number of the more important industries affected by duties imposed under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, 1931. I am considering whether anything further can be done, but I very much doubt whether it will be practicable.