§ 15. Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade the value of cotton hosiery imported into Great Britain from Japan for the year ended 31st December, 1930, and for the three months ended 31st March, 1931; and whether he can say how many persons would have been employed in Great Britain in the manufacture of that amount of cotton hosiery?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMDuring the year 1930, the total declared value of hosiery of cotton, or of which the chief value is cotton, imported into the United Kingdom, registered as consigned from Japan, was as follows: Stockings and hose, £167,948; underwear, £337,423; and fancy hosiery, £52,615. During the first three months of 1931 the values were £39,477, £60,902 and £40,644, respectively. I regret that I have not the data necessary to enable me to answer the second part of the question.
§ Mr. REMERHow does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his lack of knowledge with the speech that he made a few nights ago?
§ Mr. WISEIs it not the case that they are of qualities and descriptions not normally produced in this country?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am afraid that I shall require notice of that question. I have concentrated my reply on the actual value of the imports.