GLOVES (IMPORTS). (Hansard, 10 March 1931)

§ 25. Mr. GREENE (for Mr. OSWALD LEWIS)
asked the President of the Board of Trade from which countries gloves were imported in January, 1930, and January, 1931; and what number of pairs of gloves were imported from each of these countries during the two periods in question?

§ Mr. W. GRAHAM
As the answer involves a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

§ Mr. GREENE
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures will show that these imports of foreign articles—[Interruption.]

§ Mr. SPEAKER
It is rather unusual for an hon. Member to ask a question and then proceed to give the information himself.

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL
May we ask for the reply to be given now?

§ Mr. MARLEY
May I ask whether it is in order for an hon. Member to put down a question involving a great deal of expense if he already knows the answer and the figures

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL
On a point of Order. May I draw your attention to the fact that we have 10 minutes before we reach the end of Question Time.

§ Mr. SPEAKER
If the hon. Member wants the answer, he can have it.

§ Mr. GREENE
I ask for the answer to be given now.

§ Mr. GRAHAM
It is rather a long answer with some tables of figures, but as a compromise I will read the essential figures. We imported during January, 1930, 39,000 dozen pairs of gloves of leather and fur, and in January, 1931, 143,000 dozen pairs. Then follows a list of the countries from which they were consigned, the leading countries being 970 Germany, 19,000; France, 24,000; and Italy, 84,000. Of fabric gloves of cotton or of cotton mixed with other materials, the total imports in January, 1930, were 100,000 dozen pairs, and in January, 1931, 273,000 dozen pairs, the most important consignment coming from Germany, 200,000 dozen pairs. In January, 1931, we imported 22,000 fabric gloves of other textile materials, and of gloves of other descriptions of wool, or of which the chief value is wool, 1,400 dozen pairs in January, 1930, and 465 dozen pairs in January, 1931. These figures are not strictly comparable, as during January, 1930, they include, in the case of dutiable goods, imports by parcel post and exclude goods transhipped under bond, whereas the figures for January, 1931, except in the case of goods containing silk or artificial silk, exclude imports by parcel post but include goods in transit.

§ Mr. GREENE
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this enormous increase in the imports of these foreign articles is due to the lapsing of Safeguarding, which is throwing our workers out of employment and giving employment to the foreigner.

§ Mr. GRAHAM
No, I do not take that view. The imports have certainly increased, but I have not the least doubt that they were artificially increased during January, held up no doubt in view of the forthcoming disappearance of the Duty. A much better way is to take the average imports for months in other comparable years, and in point of fact these figures are actually lower.

§ Sir HERBERT SAMUEL
Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the imports for the months preceding the repeal of the duty showed any decline, indicating that the imports were held back until, as one would expect, they would be able to come in free of duty?

§ Mr. GRAHAM
I should require notice of that question, but plainly the imports were artificially increased during January.

Mr. ERNEST WINTERTON
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a great portion of these gloves have been made on British machinery supplied from this country?

§ Mr. GRAHAM
Of that question also I should require notice. My hon. Friend

Description and Countries whence consigned.	January, 1930.	January, 1931.
Gloves of leather and fur:	Dozen pairs.	Dozen pairs.
Total Imports	39,069	143,917
of which consigned from:
Germany	3,575	19,079
Belgium	2,483	6,620
France	3,417	24,219
Luxemburg	498	2,517
Italy	25,653	84,175
Czechoslovakia	677	3,904
United States	2,214	1,591
Fabric gloves of cotton or of cotton mixed with other materials:
Total Imports	100,927	273,247
of which consigned from:
Germany	98,124	260,558
Czechoslovakia	260	3,412
United States	888	3,861
Japan	—	3,800
Fabric gloves of other textile materials:
Total Imports	7,594	22,876
of which consigned from:
Germany	7,594	22,443
Gloves of other descriptions: of wool or of which the chief value is wool:
Total Imports	1,400	465
of which consigned from:
Germany	444	240
Irish Free State	621	225
Of other textile materials:
Total Imports	7,701	11,041
of which consigned from:
Germany	7,592	9,783