HC Deb 10 February 1931 vol 248 cc193-4
29. Mr. ALBERY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the value of the newspaper printing machinery imported into this country during the years 1928, 1929, and 1930?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

The imports of newspaper printing machinery, as such, are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom. The total declared value of newspaper, letterpress and lithographic machines and parts thereof imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1928, 1929 and 1930 was £714,920, £881,652 and £1,009,696, respectively, and the total imports of typesetting machines and parts thereof during the same years amounted to £115,870, £123,578 and £167,038, respectively.

Mr. ALBERY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say approximately where the bulk of these imports comes from?

Mr. GRAHAM

Very largely from the United States and Germany.

Mr. JAMES HUDSON

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a considerable part of this machinery has been absorbed by newspapers engaged in a propaganda against foreign imports?