§ 11. Mr. HANNON (for Mr. REMER)asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware of the dumping of Japanese textiles into this country; that a coloured striped-silk cloth is being sold in the English market for 1933 contracts at 2s. 9d. a yard, upon which duty of ls. 2d. per yard has been paid; that a committee of Macclesfield manufacturers estimate the cost price in the Macclesfield mills of the same cloth as 4s. H. per yard without any overhead charges, rent, rates, taxes, power, selling costs, etc.; and if it is the intention of the Government to take action in this and other cases of dumping?
§ Dr. BURGINMy attention has not previously been drawn to this matter, but my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has asked the Import Duties Advisory Committee to investigate the whole situation in relation to the silk duties, and it is open to the silk industry in this country to make representations to that committee.
§ 36. Mr. HANNON (for Mr. REMER)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the dumping by Japanese manufacturers into the West Indies of artificial 1599 silk cloth, sold at 4—d. per yard; if he is aware that no kind of duty which could be considered would enable British manufacturers to compete with these prices; and if he will take steps to safeguard British exporters from competition of this kind?
Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARD (Lord of the Treasury)My hon. Friend will be aware that there is already a preference on these materials in all the British West Indian Colonies. My right hon. Friend realises, however, that even a substantial preference may be ineffective to countervail special cases of dumping.