49. Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present 12 position of the inquiry as to the vulcanised fibre under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act; whether he is aware that the complaint laid before the Committee of Inquiry which he appointed does not allege that dumping from America is going on at the present-time, but merely refers to alleged dumping at a past date: whether the Committee which he appointed has any power under its terms of reference to consider a set of circumstances which has ceased to exist; and if it is proposed to proceed with the inquiry, in view of the fact that the present selling prices in this country of imported American fibre are considerably in excess of the prices quoted by the British manufacturing concern preferring the complaint?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe Committee in question heard evidence on the 20th June from which it appeared that the price of American vulcanised fibre, to which the complaint relates, had been raised. The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be announced later. The future conduct of the inquiry is a matter for the Committee to decide, but I am entirely unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion that the Committee are precluded by their terms of reference from proceeding with their inquiry merely by reason of an increase in the price of the imported article, which may be only of temporary duration.
Mr. KILEYSeeing that this is a raw material for many industries which are now placed in a state of uncertainty owing to lack of knowledge of whether this Committee is to meet again or not, can the right hon. Gentleman not make some announcement so that these manufacturers will know when and how to get-material?
§ Mr. BALDWINI quite agree that it is desirable that the Committee should proceed with its work.
§ Captain BENNHis the Committee to recommend a duty, because dumping has occurred, even if the dumping has ceased?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe Committee does not have to recommend a duty.
§ Mr. BALDWINI think it is more than likely.