§ 26. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Japanese engineering industry works its employés 60 hours a week for wages of 5s. 9d. a week for labourers, 14s. for fitters, and 25s. for skilled mechanics; and what is the Government going to do to protect the welfare of workers in similar industries in this country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel J. COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I have no official information as to the rates of wages paid or the hours worked by adult men in the engineering industry in Japan, but according to the Monthly Report of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce the daily wages for skilled engineering hands in Tokyo in September last ranged from 3.03 yen to 4.94 yen. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question asked on 28th November by my hon. Friend the Member for the Platting Division (Mr. Chorlton).
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the President of the Board of Trade or his representative not aware of the conditions which prevail in Japan? He says he is not, but, if I am able to prove to him that those are the conditions, I want to know what the Government are going to do about it, because I hold in my hand a dozen pencils sold to me yesterday in the streets of London for a penny, and I want to know what the Government are going to do about that, because it is a question of work for my people?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI can assure the hon. Member that the question of Japanese competition is receiving very active consideration, and I hope that he and his friends will support the Government in further protective measures.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODMy point of view is well known in the House. I am out for the total prohibition of anything that will he detrimental to the well-being of the working classes of this country. I am no Liberal.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the hon and gallant Gentleman give the House any idea how many of these Japanese fitters and mechanics are working on the £28,000,000 worth of machinery that we have exported to Japan during the last 12 years?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThat question does not arise. We have to deal with the facts as we find them at the present time and with the existence of keen competition.
§ 28. Mr. CHORLTONasked the President of the Board of Trade which manufactures of this country, other than cotton textiles, are suffering from Japanese competition in Colonial markets; and if any trade negotiations for such manufactures are now being arranged for?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI have received reports of competition from Japan in various Colonial markets affecting a number of United Kingdom manufactures other than cotton textiles, including asbestos cement sheets, cement, made-up cotton goods and rayon goods, cycles and cycle parts, galvanised iron sheets, hardware, felt hats, pottery and tiles, rubber footwear, soap and beer. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave him on the 28th November.
§ Mr. CHORLTONMay I ask my hon. and gallant Friend quite definitely if there are any trade negotiations going on other than those on cotton textiles, because, if so, a final settlement one way or another will be very much delayed?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIf my hon. Friend will refer to the answer that I have mentioned, he will see that in the Government's view it is important that the negotiations on cotton and rayon should be allowed to proceed to see what progress can be made first of all there, but that competition which is developing in the other lines is a matter which we are actively considering.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWhat part are the Government playing in these negotiations? The Government are always replying that they are being conducted between the industrialists in this country and the industrialists of Japan. Are the Government using their influence in order to see that our people are being protected?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIt is our intention to allow those actually engaged in the trade to see what progress they can make in the discussions, and the Government will give every assistance possible.