§ 51. Mr. LYONSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in certain cases local authorities still purchase typewriters of foreign manufacture; and whether, in view of the national advan- 882 tages in buying British goods, he will circularise all local authorities that preference should be given at the present time to British manufacturers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)My right hon. Friend has no information on the first part of the question. A circular on these lines has already been issued to local authorities and my right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that they are not acting in accordance with it. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the circular.
§ Mr. LYONSWhen cases are brought to the hon. Gentleman's notice, will he take steps to see that local authorities are put into possession of the remarks of commendation of British typewriters in the second report of the Estimates Committee?
§ 52. Mr. LYONSasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of typewriters imported into this country from Canada for the years 1930 and 1931, respectively, and the numbers for the period January to May, inclusive, and for June, 1932?
§ Mr. COLVILLEThe number of complete typewriters imported into the United Kingdom and registered as consigned from Canada was seven during 1930, 20 during 1931, and 3,522 during the period January to May, 1932. The corresponding figure for June, 1932, is not yet available.
§ Mr. LYONSCan the hon. Gentleman say how this gigantic increase is accounted for, and whether the views of the typewriter trade have received consideration?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentleman assured that the typewriters are made in Canada and not in the United States?
§ Mr. COLVILLEThe views of the British Typewriter Manufacturers Association have been communicated to the Board of Trade. During the period mentioned there has been a marked falling off in the importation of foreign typewriters.
§ Mr. McENTEEHow many of these typewriters are in use in Government Departments?
§ Mr. LYONSHas the deputation which made strong representations to the Board of Trade about this extraordinary matter ever been communicated with; and is it not a fact that this corridor through Canada is known to exist and is not merely a myth?
§ Mr. COLVILLEI understand that the deputation has been communicated with and their representations will be taken carefully into consideration in the examination of this question.