57. Sir GEORGE HAMILTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any evidence to show that the foreign producers of leather and fabric gloves deliberately held back their supplies for the three months before January, 1931; and, if so, what information he can give?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe rate of importation of leather and cotton fabric gloves into this country was very much less during the period from the 1st October to the 21st December last year, when the Safeguarding Duty lapsed, than during the last three months of any year since the duty was imposed.
Sir G. HAMILTONDoes not that show that the foreigner thought he would have to pay the duty, and not the person who bought gloves in this country?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo; I am afraid that that does not follow.
§ 60. Mr. OSWALD LEWISasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any compensating advantages for British exporters have been Obtained by negotiation from those foreign countries which, owing to the dropping of the Safeguarding Duty on gloves, have increased their imports into this country from 156,691 dozen pairs in January, 1930, to 451,546 dozen pairs in January, 1931?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNo negotiations have been undertaken with foreign countries in this matter.
§ Mr. LEWISAre we to understand that the Government have made no effort to get other work for British workers in place of the work of which they have deliberately deprived them?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNot at all. A very great deal has been done to stimulate trade, but not by the method proposed.
§ Sir H. CROFTDo these imports represent the employment of some 7,000 persons, or is the figure more or less than that?
§ Mr. GRAHAMPerhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put that question down.