24. Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is able to report the result of his promised investigation into the complaint made to him by a London exporting house that their trade in the export of French optical goods had been diminished by 60 or TO per cent. owing to the duties levied under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, and also the complaint of a London bag manufacturer that his export trade in bags for French opera glasses was being destroyed?
§ Mr. BALDWINAs regards the first complaint mentioned, I would again refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on the 19th June. As regards the second complaint, I understand that the firm in question have been in communication with His Majesty's Customs on the subject, but so far have been unable to produce any evidence of substantial value in support of their claim for drawback.
Mr. KILEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in answering a supplementary question recently, he undertook to investigate these complaints? Why should he not investigate complaints that trade has been lost to this country?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe question has been investigated, and if my hon. Friend will have some regard to amount of stores liquidated by the Disposal Board, he will find a most potent reason for the falling off in this particular trade at that particular time.
§ Mr. HANNONHow much of the time of the Board of Trade is taken up in preparing answers to these futile questions?
§ Mr. BALDWINIf my hon. Friend will put down a question, I will see if that information can be obtained.