§ 15. Mr. LYONSasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any arrangements have yet been completed to allow representatives of the British hosiery trade to appear before any, and which Dominion tariff boards?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)As announced in the Board of Trade Journal of the 16th March, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have requested His Majesty's Government in Canada, in accordance with the terms of Article 13 of the Canadian Trade Agreement, to cause a review to be made by the Canadian Tariff Board of the duties on certain commodities, which include various items of hosiery. His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia have referred the duties on hosiery to the Australian Tariff Board for review in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 of the Australian Trade Agreement. United Kingdom producers are entitled to full rights of audience before the Canadian and Australian Tariff Boards when they have under consideration matters arising in connection with these reviews. I have as yet no information as to when the reviews will take place. United Kingdom producers will also be entitled to place their views before the body which is to carry out the forthcoming enquiry into the existing protective duties in New Zealand, for which provision is made in Article 8 of the New Zealand Trade Agreement.
§ Mr. LYONSWill the Department take all the steps they can to expedite the British hosiery trade being heard before those tariff boards?
Mr. THOMASI have already stated that we have taken all steps, and the hosiery trade representatives will be heard.