HC Deb 01 November 1932 vol 269 cc1593-4
13. Mr. HOLDSWORTH

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of four-ounce and under light dress-goods exported from the United Kingdom to Canada during the last three months and the corresponding figures for 1930 and 1931?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)

I regret that the desired information is not available.

Mr. MABANE

Is it not the fact that the production of four-ounce cloth is an almost negligible proportion of the total production of the wool textile industry?

Mr. HOLDSWORTH

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these figures cannot be found in the Trade and Navigation Returns or in the Canadian Trade Returns?

14. Mr. HOLDSWORTH

asked the President of the Board of Trade what class of cloth not previously manufactured in the West Riding of Yorkshire has, since August last, been ordered by Canadian importers; and whether he will state the quantities?

Dr. BURGIN

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the statement that my right hon. Friend made during the Debate on the Ottawa Agreements Bill on the 27th October in which he referred to a statement made by a particular firm that they had received orders for a class of goods not previously made in Yorkshire for the Canadian market. As the information was received in confidence he is unable to furnish further details of the transaction mentioned on that occasion.

Mr. HOLDSWORTH

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the, same cloth has been made in Yorkshire for the last half century?

Dr. BURGIN

The novelty was that it was made for the Canadian market.

Mr. HOLDSWORTH

is the hon. Gentleman aware that that order was simply a transference from one firm to another, and that the material had been sent to Canada for the last 20 years?

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